Readers' corner
Arab PR
Sir-- Your article on the Israeli incursion (invasion?) into the Gaza Strip was very interesting and even-handed (Return of the tanks, Al-Ahram Weekly 29 June-5 July). Unfortunately, I do not see any peace in the foreseeable future as long as pro-Israeli media continue to portray Israel as fair and humane, while at the same time portraying the Palestinians as barbaric. The reason I believe this is that Washington will continue supporting Israel with a carte blanche as long as the perception in America is one of tiny Israel justly trying to protect itself from the barbaric hordes in and around her. If ever the Arabic world can work together and organise their own PR campaign as effectively as the pro-Israel media people do, then, maybe there will be a sea change in Washington. But until this perception is changed in the mind of the American public, I do not have any hope of ever seeing an even-handed foreign policy.
Raymond Paquette
New York
USA
If they were here
Sir-- There will only be peace when Hamas accepts Israel's right to exist and renounces terrorism. If the PLO had adopted non-violence (like Gandhi or Mandela), there would be a free Palestinian state today.
Gregory Taylor
Chicago
USA
The most
Sir-- Mr Amayreh says the Palestinians' minimum demand is a full Israeli withdrawal to pre-1967 borders. What is their maximum demand?
Cliff Adams
Connecticut
USA
Hating too much
Sir-- I understand your pains, hurts, and anguish, but the Arab world should try to accept the reality of a Jewish state. I honestly believe that once the Arab states and their people can embrace Israel, their right to exist, things will change for everyone. I think that there is too much hatred in your heart and that of many Arabs. Sometimes the Jews also have too much hatred in their hearts as well. We must forgive each other, we must try to embrace each other as brothers and sisters. This is the only way we can build peace and prosperity for everyone.
Robert Braverman
New York
USA
Deserves it
Sir-- I'm surprised that Arab governments are not pushing the UN for a war crimes tribunal. If this conflict does not warrant one, than what does?
Hal Sanco
New Jersey
USA
Rights as well
Sir-- Did Israel ever recognise "the Palestinian right of a fully independent state" on pre-1967 borders? I never heard the debate about the right of Palestine to exist.
Dina Burger
Madrid
Spain
Free to think
Sir-- This is an embarrassment to the Egyptian people ('Testing times' Al-Ahram Weekly 29 June-5 July). The action reveals an unmitigated attempt to suppress not only political discourse, which is essential to the progression of Egypt, but also the intent to suppress the dear facility of critical thinking, equally essential to producing an enlightened populace. My question is to what end? What is the purpose of stifling thoughtful commentary in a forum that requires, no demands, critical acumen? What was the professor who failed this student thinking? He or she was not acting in the best interest of the student or the country. On a different tack, I applaud Alaa for her thoughtfulness and her ability to think out of the prepackaged "correct" way of thinking. I hope that she gets a scholarship to a good university, one that will cultivate what seems to be a very fine mind. I will happily write the recommendation.
Al Peterson
Washington
USA
All opposed
Sir-- Mohamed Hakki's "Is Iran next?" echoes the fears of the historic, paleo- conservative, old American right that the United States is embarking on a course of perilous, uncharted waters in its thinly veiled threats to engage in preemptive military action against Iran. Those of us on the real American right have opposed Bush and his Project for the New American Century (PNAC) cabal from the beginning -- on support of Israel, the war of counter-insurgency and occupation in Iraq, and the ongoing policy of sustaining these terrible policies with a combination of firing up the Federal Reserve Board printing presses and borrowing money from Asian banks.
Mark Dankof
Texas
USA
Tut's tour
Sir-- I am very happy that the recent finds concerning King Tut's mummy have been well published and documented in the National Geographic. I am particularly happy that Dr Zawass has allowed some of the king's funerary items to tour the museums of the United States. I was able to view the Tut exhibit in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. It was informative, professionally prepared and well attended.
Thomas Buechel
New Jersey
USA
Men of letters
Sir-- I write to express my gratitude for the publication of two consecutive essays by the distinguished Columbia University professor Hamid Dabashi, 'Islam and globanalisation' and 'Native informers and the making of the American empire.' I also recall an equally inspired travelogue you published by Dabashi a few years ago on the occasion of the first anniversary of Edward Said's untimely death. The succession of these essays is a good and heart warming indication that the spirit of Edward Said's noble struggles is alive and well in his friends and colleagues. Thanks for allowing that spirit a space in your esteemed paper. Voices such as Hamid Dabashi's and Edward Said's speak the moral conscience of our troubled age.
Maria Veronica Martinez
Barcelona
Spain
Good guys
Sir-- I suppose that you would like to see Cuba and Venezuela repeated throughout South and Central America ('Identifying the enemy' Al-Ahram Weekly 29 June-5 July)? The US does not rule with an iron fist. We offer incentives for countries that operate democratic political systems and fair trade policies.
Dan Kuchem
Washington
USA
Trust alone?
Sir-- In 'Identifying the enemy', Gamil Mattar claims, "The US is interfering in Latin American politics right, left and centre." But he offers no evidence. We're intelligent readers. Just give us the facts and let us make up our own minds.
Roger McKinney
Oklahoma
USA
Al-Ahram Weekly reserves the right to edit letters submitted to Readers' Corner for brevity and clarity. Readers are advised to limit their letters to a maximum of 300 words.
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