FRIDAY, March 29, 2024
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Like Myanmar, is Israel seeking to divert attention from its crimes? 

Like Myanmar, is Israel seeking to divert attention from its crimes? 

Re: “Singling Israel out for criticism suggests racism”, Have Your Say, January 15.

Andy Leitner, in his sharp-worded condemnation of his critics, seems not to realise that criticism of Turkey’s treatment of its Kurdish minority is not a precondition for speaking against injustice elsewhere. There is widespread condemnation of Rohingya massacres, but it is not the result of an anti-Burman attitude, rather simply a humane concern for fellow human beings. Of course the rulers of Myanmar see it differently, but their complaints are only a tactic to divert attention from their crimes.
As Andy observes, there is a near universal condemnation of Israel’s policies towards Palestinians. But rather than see this as anti-Semitic hatred, it would perhaps be better to reflect on whether Israel is indeed entirely blameless. Of course, it is not only Israel that violates the human rights of its minority (as Andy correctly observes). This happens, unfortunately, in too many places and quite frequently. But one cannot be constantly on guard against all abuses; inevitably, we have to limit our attention to selected cases.
Modern Israel was created by the will of the international community and so it owes greater responsibility to world opinion. I, along with other US taxpayers, subsidise the state of Israel and so I feel that I have a right to speak on matters that concern the international community in this regard.
Przemo Kranz
Bangkok

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