Your Editorial and Joshua Mitnick’s article on the Duma situation (Jan. 1), referring to “hilltop youths” who have been held under coercive questioning and [alleged] torture by the Shin Bet since July 31, are like many which are quick to condemn “Jewish terrorism,” eagerly recalling the cases of Baruch Goldstein and Yigal Amir.
While Arab terrorists roam throughout the land of Israel, knifing and shooting and ramming their cars into Israeli victims, the Israeli public is asked to get incensed about “Jewish terrorists.” To add fuel to the simmering flames, the “wedding video” appeared showing “settlement” wedding guests gleefully dancing and waving a photo of the Arab baby who had died in the arson attack in Duma.
Who took the video? How did it get into the hands of Defense Minister Yaalon? No answers to those questions. Just a chorus of condemnations, especially from righteous Jews against other Jews.
We have very few who are willing to stand up to the majority and speak the truth. The young people of Israel have been traumatized by the Gush Katif expulsion. They have been traumatized by seeing their own soldiers and Israeli police destroying Jewish homes and synagogues. Of course they should be confused and bitter. If there are some who have overstepped the bounds of justice, they must pay the price. But let us remember that people are innocent until proven guilty. Framing innocent Jews because they fall into the category of the “usual suspects” is indecent, immoral, illegal, and unacceptable.
It’s time for the Jewish people to defend their own. Let us concentrate on stopping the Arab terrorism and follow proper judicial procedures in determining guilt in the Duma case. To do otherwise is to imperil Israel.
Executive Director Americans for a Safe Israel/AFSI Manhattan
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