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June 4, 2004/Sivan 15 5764, Vol. 56, No. 37
Letters to the EditorJune 4, 2004
Comparing Abu Ghraib, Palestinian atrocitiesEditor:The revelations about Abu Ghraib stunned the nation. The Bush administration was clearly injured by the reports coming out of Iraq. We have been assured the perpetrators of the atrocities will be tried and, if found guilty, incarcerated. The indecencies at the Abu Ghraib prison compound were first aired on April 28 by CBS's 60 Minutes II. Four days later, two Arab assailants gunned down Tali Hatuel and her four children as they approached the Kissufin Crossing near Gush Katif. As expected, the Voice of Palestine, the national broadcasting service for the Palestinian Authority, reported the incident. And, as expected, the VOP lionized the two assailants as "heroic martyrs." The VOP described Tali, who was pregnant, and her daughters - Hila, Hadar, Roni and Merav, who was only 2 - as a scourge of "settlers." Although American media covered this vile and bloody incident, none of our major news outlets reported on the coverage this incident received in the Palestinian media. This omission turned what should have been a general indictment of the Palestinian Authority into just another ripple in the ongoing Arab-Israeli conflict. There is something else: Whereas the United States has been contrite about the sadosexual abuses at Abu Ghraib, the Palestinians were exalted by the cold-blooded murder of Tali Hatuel and her children. Mitchell Finkel Silver Spring, MD Nephew pays tribute to a 'saintly' auntEditor:The profile of Nona Lewkowitz Segal ("Longtime Phoenician recalls early days," Jewish News, May 7) created such a warm feeling in my heart. She is, by any account, a saint. A devoted wife and mother, Nona always focused on her family. She constantly made her children's friends one of her own. Whether it was Temple Beth Israel's Sisterhood, volunteering as the temple's receptionist, the Madison Meadows PTA, baseball or softball games, protecting Ralph's crossword puzzles at home or enduring the next family needlepoint project, Nona was (and is) constantly involved, always upbeat with that oh-so-familiar laugh. She's at it again with her nine grandchildren, and wouldn't have it any other way. Nona tells it like it is - like it or not, she'll let you know when you've erred but, more important, she calls when you've done something right. There's never been a birthday or anniversary when the celebrant hasn't received her card early. Contrary to Nona's opinion, she has done some amazing and important things - she's "ridden herd" over her family in a loving and caring way. She truly is "one in a million." I am proud each time she still calls me "Little Herman." Aunt Nona, here's to you - I love you. Herman Lewkowitz Phoenix
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