Wetherhorn

This message was sent to the Michigan Daily. I asked for a read receipt. I never received one.

I do not believe my Alma Mater should be blindly supporting the cause of Hamas.

I’m sure you are aware that there is ample evidence to show that the real oppressor of Palestinians in Gaza is Hamas.

Free speech and academic exchange needs to avoid support of violence.

I have lived on the Israeli/Jewish side of this conflict for decades.

What I see coming from your office does no credit to you or my U of M.

Lee (Aryeh) Wetherhorn

From: Aryeh Wetherhorn [mailto:elisha6@bezeqint.net]
Sent: Sunday, December 10, 2023 4:16 PM
To: ‘tothedaily@michigandaily.com’
Subject: There Are Wolverines Outside Gaza, Too

There Are Wolverines Outside Gaza, Too

I have seen several letters of support for the Palestinians on the pages of the Daily. The sentiments expressed by the members of the Saadeh family were especially noteworthy. Quoting from Muhammed:

“He said, “support your brothers, whether they are the oppressed or the oppressors.” 

His companions replied, “oh Messenger, we understand how to support them if they are oppressed, but how do we support them if they are the oppressors?”

He replied, “by stopping them from their oppression.””

The failure of Palestinians to do this is why we see the terrible war in Gaza today. Hamas is a radical Islamic movement that selects which parts of the Quran to follow. The one quoted is NOT one followed by Hamas. The horrible massacre of over 1200 innocent Jews was only the latest of many rounds of violence instigated by Hamas. Their attacks have often sent me and my family to take shelter from their indiscriminate rocket attacks,

I live in a Jewish village 11 miles south of Jerusalem. I’ve live in a Jewish village been there for over 43 years. I buy groceries at a market where most of the staff, including the assistant manager, are Arab. The specialist who treated me for kidney stones is also Arab, as are the workmen who built our new access ramp to our home. Most of them are not Israeli citizens. But we respect one another. But this is not a “some of my best friends…” letter.

Every round of open warfare between Israel and her neighbors has ended with some kind of cease-fire agreement that always calls for future negotiations to reach a lasting peace. The current Hamas leadership still won’t conduct direct talks with Israel about anything. The “pauses” for hostage release had to be done through intermediaries, Egypt and Qatar. The Fatah leaders of the Palestinian Authority in Ramallah are no better. Today, there is no Palestinian political party that accepts the existence of Israel. Without such a body it is hard to see how a just and lasting peace can ever be achieved. Every round of open warfare was initiated by the Arabs, except for 1967, Then the Egyptians planned on bringing about a victory by forcing Israel to maintain a large army using reserves that would ruin the Israeli economy. It did not succeed. I remember that war well, because I was a volunteer medic in Jerusalem and taught first aid during the tense period before the fighting started.

To reach a solution, School children must be taught to seek peace, not Martyrdom. Donations sent to help refugees must not be allowed to be used to buy arms, build fortifications, and otherwise prepare for war.

The Hamas script for this and all past confrontations has been based on initiating violence and crying to the international community to enforce a cease-fire, and make Israel give in to Hamas dictated terms. Hamas never pays for the wars. Rebuilding is possible only from foreign donations. I doubt the current war would have taken place without the military contributions and instigations of the Iranian theocracy.

Calling for cease-fire without a follow-up, or playing the “he started it!” game are not helpful. Palestinians deserve freedom from oppression. But the oppressors are from the Islamic Revolutionary Movement (Hamas) not Israel.

The author, Lee (Aryeh) Wetherhorn graduated from Michigan in 1962. His main field of study was Near Eastern (Arab) History. He is a decorated Vietnam veteran and served in the Israeli defense forces in 3 wars.