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January 11, 2002/27 Tevet 5762, Vol. 54, No. 17
Letters to the EditorJanuary 11, 2002
Keep reproductive freedomEditor:On Jan. 22, we will observe the 29th anniversary of the Roe v. Wade decision, which affirmed the right of reproductive choice. Since that decision, a woman's right to control her body has been attacked in legislatures and courts. Currently, the greatest threat to reproductive freedom comes from anti-choice judicial nominees to the more than 100 vacancies on the federal bench. If confirmed, these nominees would decide reproductive rights cases and have the ability to restrict a woman's right to choose. Possible upcoming vacancies on the Supreme Court could pose similar dangers. It is not just up to the president to fill federal court vacancies. It is essential that the U.S. Senate take seriously its constitutional duty to "advise and consent" on each judicial nomination. Senators should hold all of the nominees to the highest level of scrutiny and confirm only those who will uphold the constitutional right affirmed by Roe v. Wade. Citizens can play a role as well by urging their senators to support these nominees. Let's observe the Roe anniversary by letting our senators know that freedom, including reproductive choice, is our priority. Roberta Damesek President, Valley Section National Council of Jewish Women Phoenix Take back the territoriesEditor:On Sept. 9, 1993, Palestinian Authority leader Yasser Arafat wrote Israel's Prime Minister Rabin a letter stating: "the PLO commits itself to the Middle East Peace Process ... and declares that all outstanding issues relating to the permanent status will be resolved during negotiations. The PLO renounces the use of terrorism and other acts of violence and will assume responsibility over all PLO elements and personnel in order to assure their compliance, prevent violations and discipline violators." It is obvious that Arafat has purposely failed to honor his commitment. Consider the recent capture of the arms-laden Karine A, a ship of terror; the glorifying of terrorists and hatred of Jews evident in the PA-controlled media and textbooks; the official PA insignia, that includes a map of the entire state of Israel; and a square in Hebron named after the mastermind of the 1996 bus bombings, Yeyha Ayyash. This is from the same Arafat who in September 1992, one year before Oslo, was caught on tape saying, "The Jews are dirt, filth, dogs, and trash. We will settle accounts with them in the future." The only solution for Israel is to follow the U.S. example in Afghanistan and destroy the PA's terrorist infrastructure by reoccupying all the PA-controlled territories. There is no alternative. Farley Weiss National Vice President Zionist Organization of America Phoenix
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