Letter to CSM: NY and Jerus, pub'd 7 feb 1997

The Christian Science Monitor
pub'd 7 feb 1997

http://www.csmonitor.com/1997/0207/020797.opin.letters.1.html

New York and Jerusalem

The Monitor has historically served as a voice of balance on Middle Eastern concerns, correcting misconceptions often found in the news media. Thus I find it incongruous to read a statement in the Jan. 9 article, "Crusade in Jerusalem," which misrepresents reality and takes a scoffing tone. In comparing New York and Jerusalem, the writer shows how different Jerusalem is: "No one is trying to break off a piece of New York and make it the capital of another nation." Is the writer unaware that this "piece," referred to as "East Jerusalem," is occupied territory? Or that no nation - not even the US - has recognized Israel's annexation? Israel has tried, through occupation, to nullify Palestinian claims to their own land. The occupation of Arab Jerusalem is not recognized by international law.

Perhaps there are more similarities between New York and Jerusalem, in each mayor's approach to Palestinians. When President Arafat attended a function in New York last year, while meeting at the United Nations, Mayor Giuliani had him bodily removed from the concert hall. What Mr. Giuliani did to the world's most-recognized Palestinian, Mayor Olmert is trying to do to ordinary Palestinian residents of Jerusalem. Through harsher residency requirements that separate families, land confiscations, and other illegal methods, Mayor Olmert is creating facts on the ground by removing Jerusalem's Palestinian residents.

Annie C. Higgins
Chicago