Over the past several weeks the Israeli-Palestinian conflict has figured prominently in the media, and has been the subject of numerous Viewpoints. While it's great that we have such an open forum for discussion, I can't help but feel that Israel has been inaccurately portrayed, especially in comparison to the actions of her neighbors.
One recurring theme is that Israel is a bellicose occupier desiring the continual oppression of the Palestinians. A brief examination of the conflict in fact proves quite the opposite - Israel is in fact a nation that has been seeking peace since its very inception. Israel agreed to the UN partition plan in 1948, the Palestinians and other Arab countries declared war. After the Six Day War in 1967, Israel offered the return of all captured territory (except Jerusalem) in exchange for peace (as it was and still is demographically undesirable to remain in the West Bank and Gaza). Everyone, including Jordan, the previous "occupier" of the West Bank, refused. Finally, after yet another war, Israel made peace with Egypt. A few years ago, Ehud Barak attempted to make peace with Syria by returning the Golan Heights, an offer that was rejected by King Assad. Barak also offered the Palestinians the most compromising peace plan ever, and instead of responding with peace - or at least negotiations - Yasser Arafat chose violence.
On a more personal note, it is interesting to examine the rhetoric emanating from the region. The first female suicide bomber, who recently attacked Jerusalem, drew praise in the Arab press for her heroism and her advancement of the feminist cause. Dr. Adel Sadeq, head of the department of psychiatry at Ein Shams University in Cairo, invoked Christianity by saying, "From Mary's womb issued a child who eliminated oppression, while the body of Wafa became shrapnel that eliminated despair and aroused hope... it is not surprising that the enemy in both cases was the same" (New York Times, 1/11/02).
Alleged human rights violations are also at the center of this controversy, and I personally support better human rights and security for everyone in the region. However, we need to apply our standards for human rights on a universal basis, and Israel is unfairly singled out. Israel is a true democracy, with Arab representation in its parliament, making it the only one of its kind in the region. Some of Israel's most vociferous critics include Iran, Saudi Arabia, and Syria, decidedly non-democratic countries. My research with the State Department's reports on human rights turned up the following for the year 2000:
First, in Iran there were "numerous" extrajudicial killings while at least 20 Kurds were killed during violent suppressions of demonstrations, following a government-led poison gas attack in 1988 that killed 5,000. Citizens were also sentenced to death without trial. Although torture is constitutionally forbidden, many dissidents were burned with cigarettes or beaten.
Second, Saudi Arabia does not have an elected government. Incidences of prisoner torture, including corporal punishment, were widely reported. Saudi Arabia also maintains refugee camps for prisoners from the Gulf War. The Mutawwa'in (religious police) enforces a strict dress code and adherence to their definition of Islamic law.
Third, Syria maintains a strong military presence in Lebanon (call it an occupation?). Prisoners/dissidents are subjected to torture, including electrocution and beating, although the government denies these claims. According to Amnesty International the government detains some 1,500 Palestinians, Jordanians, and Lebanese. In addition, Syria has been an ardent supporter of the terrorist group Hezbullah.
In closing, I'd like to focus on some positive Israeli contributions. Over the past few years, Israel has led medical advances in cancer, Alzheimer's, and diabetes research. It has also remained at the forefront of high-tech research and development. Agricultural research has resulted in better crops being planted to help fight famine in Africa and Arab countries. Israel has also provided assistance to other countries in times of need, sending its elite rescue units abroad to disaster sights, including Turkey and Peru.
Although Israeli action has not always been commendable, it has surely received a disproportionate amount of criticism. We all hope for an end to violence and improved living situations for Palestinians and Israelis. But when we talk of human rights, let's be fair and hold everyone to the same standard.
Aaron Markowitz-Shulman is a freshman majoring in international relations.
