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August 9, 2002/Elul 1 5762, Vol. 54, No. 47
Letters to the EditorAugust 9, 2002
Let's remember Matt SalmonEditor:The continuing onslaught of terrorist Palestinian violence in Israel has taken more innocent lives. More than 80 students at Hebrew University have been wounded and seven were killed last week. Five Americans lost their lives in this latest attack, which President Bush swiftly condemned, terming Hamas "killers who hate the thought of peace and therefore are willing to take their hatred to all kinds of places, including a university." As we approach the fall elections, it is important to remember the Fox Resolution, crafted by U.S. Rep. Jon Fox (R-Pa.) and then-Congressman Matt Salmon (R-Ariz.). It called on the Clinton administration to demand that Yasser Arafat hand over Arab killers of Americans for prosecution in the United States. It further stated that since Arafat "has not honored any Israeli requests for the transfer of terrorist suspects to Israel, the United States would seek their transfer to America, in accordance with the U.S. Anti-Terrorism Act." As the horrific death toll continues to rise, and more Americans lose their lives alongside Israelis, consider gubernatorial candidate Matt Salmon and his activism on our behalf. James Freedman Tempe Ignoring the use of human shieldsEditor:The hand-wringing of Jewish leaders ("Groups ponder Israel stance," Jewish News, Aug. 2) and neutral observers about the civilian casualties caused by the recent raid on a Hamas hiding place in Gaza ignores the likelihood that the apartment house was deliberately chosen by Hamas leaders to hide behind a human barricade of their own people. I have not heard or seen this mentioned by analysts in any of the often acrimonious debates, even though this cover had been frequently used by unscrupulous belligerents throughout history. Has this subject become a topic too horrible to be contemplated publicly? I wonder to what extent responsible Arab leaders will allow their people to be used as human shields by extremists, before they are willing to speak up in their defense. Is their reputed "reasonable" majority just being silent, or are they indifferent - and even worse? Martin Selling Phoenix Why are so many leaders silent?Editor:I wrote e-mails to as many U.S. senators and representatives as I could over the weekend to ask them where is the outrage at losing five Americans in the attack at Hebrew University. Although I may be the type who sees an anti-Semite behind every tree, I can't believe that anti-Semitism is keeping all our elected officials from speaking out against terrorism geared toward Americans. I am most upset that no member of Congress is publicly outraged by the slaughter of Americans in Israel. Is it because they were Jewish and Jewish blood is expendable? Why isn't the government demanding retribution? As a religious school principal, I urge the students to remember that they are Americans and that America will always stand behind them. What do I tell the students now when silence is the only sound they hear? Fran Richter Phoenix
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