I want to start this response to Elham Khatami’s columns by saying that I appreciate what she… I want to start this response to Elham Khatami’s columns by saying that I appreciate what she is doing. You had the bravery to go to Israel and see for yourself what takes place there. This winter break I also sought understanding. Like you, I spent my time traveling to Poland and Israel, witnessing the suffering of the Jewish people. It pains me that suffering is still occurring and not only on one side. I have sympathy for the Palestinian people, for their pain. I think they deserve their own homeland. This understanding is the “heart of the matter” you speak about in your column. While I am so pleased that you are working to learn about this conflict, I am concerned that your perception of Israel and the people who live there does not express the full understanding that is the solution to this deeply rooted conflict.

In regards to Israel’s security, I believe that no person should have to live in fear. Imagine what it is like to live knowing that a rocket may hit your house and possibly kill a loved one. Imagine what it feels like to know that riding a bus is a life risk. How can anyone expect the Israeli Government to stand by idly? If the United States were under a constant threat of terror, wouldn’t the people demand action? While the security fence is a challenge for innocent Palestinians, it is a necessary measure of security. Terrorist attacks have decreased by 90 percent since the construction of the security barrier. I would also like to note that only 3 percent of the security barrier is actually made of the tall concrete, often pictured in the media. Areas where the concrete does exist are in places where Palestinian gunmen were shooting Israelis driving on nearby roads. It is crucial to understand that all Palestinians are not to blame for this violence but the situation leaves Israel with no other choice. Is this barrier being built by the Israeli government or Hamas leaders who incite violence and hatred?

In 2005 Israel gave the Palestinian Authority control of the Gaza Strip. Since that time Israeli towns such as Sderot, mentioned in your column, are constantly hit with rockets. There have been approximately 4,200 rockets since 2005. Even after the disengagement of Jews living in Gaza, more than 2,500 rockets were still fired into Sderot. How can it be expected that Israel provide aid to a country that is essentially waging a war against its people? My real question is, what has the Palestinian leadership done to help its people? What was done with the 500 million Euros given to Hamas by the EU? Where has the money gone? Why is it not being used to help Palestinian people during this time of crisis? It seems that Israel is consistently to blame for the problems of the Palestinians. We are all responsible for helping suffering people, but where are the Palestinian’s Arab brothers? Why has Egypt not opened its hospitals to suffering people?

It is clear that the roots of this conflict are deep. You and I are both products of the families and societies we grew up in. If you cannot consider the plight of the Israelis along with the plight of the Palestinians, we cannot sympathize with each other and nothing ever will be accomplished. The security barrier is definitely a metaphor to the complicated nature of this situation. The security barrier, which is electronic, not electric, is not permanent. It was designed with the hope that there would one day be understanding. I hope this can be an ongoing dialogue that will lead to a deeper understanding coming from both sides.

Naomi Wischnia Panthers for Israel