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FEB. 6 LETTER: Harper and Israel

In December, Canada increased its foreign aid to Israel. What exactly are taxpayers here condoning?

Editor:

In December, Canada increased its foreign aid to Israel. What exactly are taxpayers here condoning?

Villages are bulldozed; political activists are indefinitely detained; evictions leading to checkerboard resettlement; military occupation and commercial blockade; settlers have impunity to harm or kill locals; Palestinians banned from all paved roads; impediments to water access and food production; airstrikes against any rebellion.

Even refugee camps are at risk. Harper has failed to consider that imposing sanctions would be more appropriate. Human rights abuses should not be tolerated.

The invasion of 1967 was called the Six Day War.

By some accounts, this act was justified by peace and security. However, almost erased from history was the notion that Israel itself had created the instability that led to this act.

Provocations to incite war included pre-emptive strikes and threats against its neighbours.

Some say Israel has always been an American Cold War asset and Canada has embraced the banner.

Harper recently voted against minor UN status for the Palestinians.

Despite UN resolution 242 illegalizing the occupation, it has increased instead.

I sense an invisible hand at play in the entire region’s volatility.

Add to this a western media that prefers Israel as spokesman for all Mideast news and commentary.

S. Ewasyn, Grand Forks