Readers' corner
What Israel has learnt
Sir-- In 'Sex, marriage and Mideast peacemaking' (13-19 August, Al-Ahram Weekly ) Ezzedine Choukri Fishere dismisses the call for confidence building measures from the Arabs to Israel as equal to premarital sex and therefore unacceptable. He fails to examine the lesson learned by Israel from the broken promises of "normalisation" by Egypt and Jordan in their respective treaties. Experience has taught Israel it makes no sense to yield strategic and territorial compromises in advance for a paper promise from the Arabs that is so easily revoked. Was Israel able to compel Egypt or Jordan to live up to its promises? Of course not. The territory was surrendered; there is no going back without war. The Arabs would do well to study the Israeli psyche a little. Perhaps they would realise it is a mistake to hold back normalisation as a card to play when it could be used so effectively (and, yes, reversibly) to grease the wheels of the peace wagon.
John Zucker
New Jersey
USA
Man in the mirror
Sir-- I read with interest your comments on the recent trafficking in persons report ('Evil trafficking' 30 July-5 August, Al-Ahram Weekly ). In 2010, the United States will be including an evaluation of its own performance and status in the fight against human trafficking here at home. This is a major step forward, indicating a willingness to hold up a mirror, rather than simply point a finger.
Ron Soodalter
New York
USA
I'm one
Sir-- There are thousands of illegal workers in Egypt ('Evil trafficking' 30 July-5 August, Al-Ahram Weekly ). Most of them are passing through a horrible life. A victim of circumstance, these people, from various countries, are the victim of a broker syndicate in Egypt as well as the rest of the world which is inspiring them and taking a large amount of money from each, and giving false information. As a victim, a report in your renowned newspaper may save thousands of workers and their families. It will also be great for Egypt.
Mahmudur Rahman
Cairo
Egypt
Look no further
Sir-- Re 'Old wine in new bottles' (30 July-5 August, Al-Ahram Weekly ), why is the Arab world in such a dire situation? Look no further than the list of the most pressing problems by the author Mustafa Kamel El-Sayed: Palestine and the Golan Heights. As long as the Arab world keeps obsessing over Israel's existence it will never solve its own problems.
Hugh Lefcort
Washington
USA
Who's the aggressor?
Sir-- In 'The Iranian conundrum' (30 July-5 August, Al-Ahram Weekly ) Mr Ayman El-Amir refers to Israel's aggression wars towards her neighbours. Only an Arab can make this comment: " While Israel's short history is replete with wars of aggression against its neighbours... ". Did you forget Nasser's declaration of pushing Israelis into the sea (the 1967 six-day war)? Did you forget the 1973 War when Egypt and Syrian forces attacked Israel? I suggest you be more accurate in your comments if you want people to take you and your articles more seriously.
Sean Khalil
Washington
USA
The Gaza cut-off
Sir-- I feel very embarrassed and hurt that the Egyptian authorities have not been allowing in cars carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza. or your information this convoy is comprised of people who are advocating peace in the Middle East. Ordinary American people helped make this convoy a reality. American people -- Christians, Jews and Muslims -- felt they wanted to help the Palestinians in Gaza who are blocked by both Israel and Egypt from the outside world. They helped by donating money to buy cars in Egypt, so definitely they helped the Egyptian economy, and they filled them with donated humanitarian aid, medicines and necessary items to help the civilian population including women, children, and sick people in their daily life. This is all happening in spite of what President Obama said about the dire need to end the Gaza blockade and open the crossings on both borders. Why Egyptian authorities are refusing to allow the cars to cross over to Gaza is very hard for me to understand as an Egyptian American. Please understand why I am so embarrassed and disappointed and then for God's sake do something to alleviate the sufferings of the Palestinian people in Gaza and allow the next convoys to cross Gaza without delay.
Mona Seredin
Florida
USA
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