Should the Palestinian voice be the loudest?

TO THE EDITOR:

In response to Mr. Fleming’s column, “Student voice on Palestine lacking,” (Dec. 3), let me first say that I agree with many of his points. One of the main reasons the situation is so intractable — and why a two-state solution is bound to fail — is education.

In Palestinian schools, children are taught that Israelis are infidel devils who seek a “Greater Israel” and the eradication of Islam. In many textbooks, Israel is not listed, or referred to as “Palestine.”

On the flip side, Israelis are taught to perceive Palestinians as an existential threat and not as credible partners in diplomacy. As an aside, Israel has tortured suspected terrorists, invaded sovereign countries in the name of national security and engaged in rhetoric sometimes more damaging than bullets.

Before both sides can be credible negotiating partners for each other, both groups have to stop educating their children in hate.

While it is true that the media often appears partial to Israel, let us not forget that the international community consistently ignores Israel’s precarious hardship. Let us not forget that recently, the UN affirmed a resolution that essentially denies Israel the fundamental right to self-defense. Let us not forget that Israelis live under a continual threat of indiscriminate rocket fire or civilian-targeted suicide bombing.

Mr. Fleming is right that the Palestinian voice is not the “loudest voice we hear.” My question is: Should it be?

 

Nate Friedman

Senior

Psychology, Peace, War and Defense