In most genocides, the population doesn’t increase

Do letter writers actually believe that their ludicrously ridiculous, hyperbolic rants actually contribute constructively to making their case, or do they just enjoy preaching to the choir [Letters, November 29–December 6]? Regardless of the subject, the actual net result is that any point which was attempted to be conveyed is summarily dismissed by reasonable, open-minded readers, who get turned off and quickly skip to the next column.

Such an example can be found in letter writer James Hillen’s foolish “genocide in Gaza” (to use his words) ramblings of last week. For heaven’s sake, the Palestinian population of Gaza increased from 322,000 in 1967 (when the Israeli occupation began) to 1.55 million in 2005 when Israel unilaterally withdrew. It is now somewhere north of 1.7 million!

That’s quite a neat trick, increasing your population 500 percent strictly via birthrate, over a scant 45 years, while undergoing a genocide. You’d think that the Israelis—who, I recall, actually happen to know a little bit about the subject—would be a little better at this genocide thing?

Methinks Hillen really needs to purchase a dictionary. Such an absurd accusation both does a disservice to his Palestinian cause and, more disturbingly, insults and trivializes those collective peoples who actually have experienced the horrors to which he refers. Rwanda and Darfur immediately come to mind.

> Philip Marsh / Lions Bay

 

Re: Palestinians and Israelis can’t find common ground. That’s because the Israelis have nearly all of it.

> Andrew Phillips / New Westminster

Comments

5 Comments

anonymouse1962

Dec 6, 2012 at 9:28pm

Excellent letter! Thanks for pointing out the obvious to those who are so blinded by hate that they cannot see it.

Question Everything

Dec 6, 2012 at 11:16pm

"The goal of the operation is to send Gaza back to the Middle Ages." -

Israeli Interior Minister Eli Yishai on Israel's operation in Gaza: November 17, 2012

TheParadigmShift

Dec 7, 2012 at 8:40am

“We need to flatten all of Gaza. The American’s didn’t stop with Hiroshima – the Japanese weren’t surrendering fast enough – so they hit Nagasaki too. There should be no electricity in Gaza, no gasoline or moving vehicles, nothing. Then they’d really call for a ceasefire,” - Gilad Sharon ( son of former Prime Minister Ariel Sharon)

Also see:
'ISRAEL & PALESTINE: THE MAPS TELL THE TRUE STORY'
http://whatreallyhappened.com/WRHARTICLES/mapstellstory.html

Miriam 923

Dec 7, 2012 at 10:04am

The Israelis have used the horrific, illegal weapon of white phosperous
in Gaza, they have denied access to flotilla carrying purely humaritarian
aid, they've bulldozed Palestinian olive groves, and outright destroyed villages etc. etc.

Not all Israelis or Jews are blind or indifferent to the crimes that have
been committed, but the media rarely cover the dissent of Israeli
refusniks, peace activists, intellectuals etc... including some of who've
had family die in Nazi death camps ... who will not tolerate such crimes.

Commenter

Dec 7, 2012 at 10:20am

See this excellent, thought-provoking piece and re. the 'General's Son' in which Miko Peled chronicles the misgivings of his father, a General in the Israeli Army during the War of '67 ... As an Israeli, he articulately
and historically dissects many of the deeply entrenched deceptions that Israelis have been conditioned to believe re. Palestinians. But neither does he ignore wrongs committed by suicide bombers, and his comments
on such are enlightning for anyone genuinely open to REAL dialogue,
understanding and accountability.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oCKWDarNdGw&feature=player_embedded