|
Stop Aid to Israel — Give to Needy Americans
By Anthony Accetta, Housatonic
In his letter in The Voice, "Faulty Logic" [August 16], Mark I. Fishman takes issue with the comments I made in a previous letter about the Jonathan Pollard affair [America Not Responsible for a Foreign Government, August 2]. Mr. Fishman said that my comments were "illogical" and that I used "circular logic" in concluding that Mr. Pollard deserved a life sentence. I think Mr. Fishman is missing the whole point. Pollard was an American Jew who held a sensitive and trusted position with the U.S. government. Although he had sworn allegiance to defend and protect America, he was caught red-handed by the FBI spying for Israel on America. He did irreparable harm to the U.S. by transferring tens of thousands of secret and sensitive documents to the government of Israel, which refused to return the documents. Facing the death penalty for his actions, Mr. Pollard admitted his guilt and went for a plea bargain and a life sentence.
And that is what he got. If America were formally at war, Mr. Pollard would have been executed by hanging. If the military had gotten their hands on him in time of war, he may have faced a firing squad. I personally think the law should be changed so that spies and traitors like Pollard would face a firing squad. Further, I think the event should be televised and broadcast to the American public as a warning to others who are even thinking about spying against America.
I would also like to take issue with Mr. Fishman about his comment about the emigration of Jews from Russia. He said that I ignored "the large open spaces in the southern half of Israel." Unfortunately, the government of Israel is ignoring that region because it is much drier—and instead is taking Palestinian land in the West Bank and building Jewish settlements there.
The point I would like to make concerning the emigration of Jews from Russia or anywhere is this: The more people who move to the area, the more the need for water and food and services will be. The area cannot sustain itself. There will be more of and a continual demand for aid from America. Many Americans are tired of sending over one-quarter of our foreign aid to Israel—a country that spies on us, illegally transfers U.S. military technology to countries like Pakistan and others, and is partially responsible (because of their treatment of the Palestinians) for the September 11 attack on America.
Marvin Peyser, in his letter "All Human Life Is Sacred" [August 16], has finally used the word "anti-Semitic" to describe the letter writers to The Voice who don't agree with the policies of the State of Israel or who don't wish to further subsidize that foreign country. The true feelings and beliefs and comments of myself and many other Americans, Mr. Peyser, will not be stifled and controlled by your unjustifiable "anti-Semitic" labeling of us. That tired old tactic and label is a typical and predictable response from an American Jew who is beginning to lose his logical arguments and is beginning to grasp for straws. If you criticize Israel in any way, shape or manner, you are immediately labeled an anti-Semite.
It is supposed to shut people up, especially Americans who have expressed that they no longer want the U.S. government to send their tax money to Israel, and the region in general. Israel sees America as one big blank check. Mr. Peyser, I am going to discuss this issue every chance I get, because I am tired of our tax dollars going overseas. There are many Americans in need themselves: the elderly who cannot afford their prescription drugs, the hungry children in the cities and the mountain towns, the homeless. They are Americans and they come first! Most Israeli citizens live at a higher standard of living than many Americans—all because of U.S. aid. The money is certainly not going to the Palestinians, who subsist at third world economic levels. And the government of Israel wonders why there is discontent in the West Bank and in Gaza.
I move that the U.S. government cut all aid (except for humanitarian) to Israel, Palestine, and even Egypt, and use that wealth to create a fund to help the elderly in America, the hungry children, and the many other Americans who are in economic need. The money could be used to subsidize child care centers so that parents can go to work. But it should be spent in America on Americans who have a need!
Mr. Peyser, you wrote that you "noted with satisfaction" that some of the attacks were against you personally, impugning your loyalty to the U.S. Mr. Peyser, you can't be loyal to two countries. You may have dual citizenship, I don't know. But one thing is certain from your letters. In your defense of Jonathan Pollard and on other issues you are totally pro-Israel. Maybe you should consider moving there and becoming an Israeli citizen. Maybe then you could arrange a trip to the West Bank and Gaza and see for yourself exactly why the Palestinians have more than adequate motivation for their uprising.
|
|
