Middle East and the
free press

This is in regard to the article about Montrealers who volunteer for human shield duty in Israel, by Ken “Self-loathing Jew” Hechtman [“Protective presence,” Nov. 14]. While I find the goal of policing in the territories laudable, I’m wondering where the shields are for the Israelis? Or do they not count as innocent people who die, who are maimed?

The problem with the news coverage of this conflict is that it too quickly breaks down into “us and them,” “leftists and right-wingers.” The point I have previously made in these pages is that there’s nobody involved in the conflict who doesn’t have blood on their hands—literally and figuratively.

The division between knee-jerk liberals—attending riots at Concordia, spitting on Jews in attendance, or running off to place themselves in harm’s way—and the pedantic slant the American media conglomerates spout, would be almost funny were it not so deadly serious, and thus so pathetic.

It is in vogue to slam the Israelis in the “free” press, but I yearn for truly balanced coverage. The Israeli army is filled with bullies—bad men and women who abuse the Palestinians? Perhaps. As likely as it is that the statement, “All the Palestinians are terrorists,” is true. If one’s heart bleeds for one, it must surely bleed for all.

It makes you wonder how the critics of Israel would react if their best friends were blown up by a suicide bomber after having lived their lives in a siege mentality. I suspect in much the same way as the teenagers who are the grunts in the IDF.

Until the two peoples, and we here in our North American haven—removed from the violence save for a few racial slurs, spittle and broken windows—get past the historical imperatives and begin work on what is the only solution to the conflict, a negotiated peace, we will remain at a status quo. One that’s getting people killed on both sides. Our role as North Americans is to insist upon it by whatever means possible.

» Neil Schwartzman

In response to Barry Merson’s letter about your story on human shields in Israel [E-mail, Nov. 21], I think it’s only fair that a newspaper might be allowed to side with the Palestinian conflict when many other newspapers are owned by radical, right-wing Zionists with a mandate to side with Israel, ie. the Asper family.

I don’t promote violence and feel for innocent victims both Israeli and Palestinian. But to call Israel’s actions “self defensive” is more than just a gross misstatement, it’s a flat-out lie. Israel has used the tragedies of Sept. 11 as an excuse to implement a more-brutal-than-ever U.S.-backed campaign against the Palestinian people who are only trying to defend themselves. Though I don’t condone the use of violence, claims that Palestinians are attacking without provocation or reason is absolutely ludicrous.

Human rights organizations such as the Israeli human rights group B’Tselem, Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International and the Swiss League of Human Rights have conducted studies into the use of torture against Palestinian prisoners by the Israeli authorities. Arab prisoners are often held in administrative detention without charge and tortured. These studies have all been published but have not received coverage in the mainstream media in the U.S. and hardly any in Canada. It’s funny how we view militant Arabs as a threat but not militant Jews (Zionists) who happen to control media outlets (Southam) as the same.

» Roger White

Caffeine crazy

It was thoughtful of the Mirror to mention the latest positive news about the advantages of drinking caffeinated coffee over decaf [Insect, Nov. 21]. Not only does caffeinated coffee taste better than decaf, improve memory retention, stave off type-2 diabetes and protect against cirrhosis of liver, it also acts as a diuretic, speeds up metabolism and helps one control their weight. Last but not least, caffeinated coffee helps improve one’s reflexes.

In this day and age of rampant sleep deprivation, drinking regular coffee can keep tired drivers more alert and thereby prevent life-threatening accidents. I’d rather see caffeinated drivers behind the wheel than alcoholics. All those who absolutely must drink and drive during the holidays consider taking java after their alcoholic beverages.

» Manish Patwari

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