By Susan Howard-Azzeh*

Dear Mr. MacKay, Minister of Foreign Affairs,

Re: Foreign Affairs Committee August 1, 2006.

What kind of hypocrisy is this?

How do you define terrorist? Why do you constantly refer to Hizbullah as a "terrorist army"?

By definition, terrorism is violence directed at civilians, at non-combatants. Most of the casualties of Israeli aggression are civilians. Most of the casualties of Hezbollah violence are Israeli soldiers. Israel by definition is a terrorist state.

(Aug 1 - 50 killed in Israel, 500 killed in Lebanon.)

The Israeli soldiers were not "kidnapped". They were captured. One combatant capturing another combatant. Your repeated use of the word "kidnapped" belies your political agenda and obvious bias.

"Lebanon is not "being held hostage by Hizbullah" as you stated today. The Christian President of Lebanon, Emile Labour has said Hizbullah has his endorsement to defend Lebanon (CBC). The Muslim Prime Minister has not objected. The Lebanese army is practically non-existent, and does not have the capacity to defend Lebanon. Hizbullah was created by Israel’s first occupation of Southern Lebanon. Hezbollah has earned the right to defend Lebanon despite UN Resolution 1559. However, Hariri had made significant headway in disarming Hizbullah and drawing them into the political process whereby they gained representation and seats in the Lebanese parliament. Whether Hizbullah had been currently incorporated as part of the Lebanese army, or became incorporated into the Lebanese army in the future, does not justify Israel’s destruction of Lebanon. Lebanon has a right to defend itself.

For the capture of 3 Israeli soldiers, while 9,800 Palestinian political prisoners remain in Israeli jails, this is a measured response? To destroy Lebanon, to destroy Lebanese civilian infrastructure, to displace and make refugees in their own country 800,000+ Lebanese, this is a "measured response"?

Israel by its own admission was looking for an opportunity, an excuse, a PR moment to invade Lebanon and "root out Hizbullah".

And now unfortunately Israel’s massive attacks on Lebanon and the destruction of Lebanon has drawn attention away from Palestine. Israel is using this distraction has a means to continue to pommel Gaza too. This is unacceptable. This is criminal.

The root cause of this crisis must be addressed - - which is the on-going injustice of Israel towards Palestinians, and Israel’s arrogant disproportionate response to a simple capture of two Israeli soldiers on Lebanese territory, Sheba’a Farms. (Whether the Israeli soldiers were captured on Lebanese or Israeli territory is not overly significant, the response is criminal.)

If Israel is allowed to defend its borders, although they change daily, than Palestinians and Lebanese are allowed to defend their borders too. If Israel has a "right" to exist, then so too do Palestinians and Lebanese.

Canadians are very angry regarding Canada’s endorsement of Israeli aggression. This must be resolved by addressing the root cause of instability in the Middle East - - Israel, with its US, British and now Canadian backing.

Where is the current Conservative government’s loyalties. Where are Stephen Harper’s loyalities? Prime Minister Harper and yourself appeared more upset by the capture of 3 Israeli soldiers, than by Israel’s murder of Canadians, including a well-respected unarmed Canadian UN observer.

If Canada is going to pick sides in this conflict, educate yourselves as to the origin of the conflict and the on-going suffering in Palestine. http://www.jewsforajustpeace.com/pages/azzeh_01.html

Ask yourself, why are you so comfortable to blame Hezbollah, but shy to make any direct criticism of Israel?

Sincerely,

*Susan Howard-Azzeh,
Chair Niagara Palestinian Association
Suite 112, 111 Fourth Ave., Ridley Square, St. Catharines, ON Canada L2S 3P5 905-984-6515