Editor,
If one student decides to drop a class, should the whole class be cancelled? If somebody runs a traffic light, should everybody in the intersection be ticketed? Finally, if one of your friends or family members commits a crime, should you be punished for being associated with them?
According to the letter by Donald Gluck published in the Daily Lobo on Thursday, Palestinians' suffering for years from Israel's use of collective punishment is justifiable. However, this letter is deficient in credibility because of its inaccuracy in correctly citing facts and denying undisputable facts as well.
Gluck states in his letter, "Israel does not believe in collective guilt, nor does she practice collective punishments," and attests his statement by describing the relationship between Israel and the government of post-Nazi Germany. However, Gluck does not explain how denying Gaza access to fundamental necessities or destroying homes of Palestinian families is not collective punishment.
What occurred in Europe under the Nazis was an atrocious episode, and honoring anybody who resisted command to save an innocent life is merely an obligation of the rescued. Many men and women opposed their nation's government to save innocent people who were made enemies because of dogmatic and, above all, political reasons.
Today, Israel cannot rationally punish every German because of what occurred in World War II. Yet, as a motive of interest, the Israeli government will endanger millions of innocent Palestinians because of a few radical ones. Furthermore, Gluck forgot to mention that of the 550 rockets and 510 mortars fired by resisting Palestinian militia since June 2007, no Israeli was killed, and roughly 70 Israeli soldiers were injured. Yet, out of Israel's use of force, nearly 150 Palestinian civilians, including children, were killed and almost 300 Palestinian civilians were injured.
Get content from The Daily Lobo delivered to your inbox
If Israel wanted to react more reasonably in response to Palestinian militia firing rockets into southern Israel, then instead of separating 1.5 million people from fundamental necessities, Israel should have given the Palestinians a Valentine's Day card, considering they have already penalized the Palestinians by taking hundreds of innocent lives, which is also collectively punishing the Palestinians.
Finally, to assert that the Palestinian people have been used as pawns by Arab and Muslim nations is completely erroneous. Throughout history, these governments have repeatedly attempted to aid the Palestinians but were unsuccessful every time and have therefore focused their interest on their own nations.
I recommend you carry out unbiased research on the creation of Israel to improve your understanding on who pawned the Palestinians and how. In order for the Palestinians to give birth to a realistic and successful Palestine, Israel has to let them breathe and live.
Alaa ElMaoued
UNM student
