Letter to The Washington Post

From: Dr. Michael Berenhaus [mailto:mberenhaus@comcast.net]
Sent: Monday, October 22, 2007 9:22 AM
Subject: letter to wash post

Dear Editor,

According to On the Road to Nowhere, Merchants Pay the Toll [10/22/07], Israel’s economic withdrawal and security barrier have caused the Palestinian economy to become “lifeless.” Yet the Palestinian economy is able to support over a thousand rockets fired from Gaza into Israel. In Israel tourism thrives; in Gaza terrorism thrives. Israel chose an industry which is much more profitable. The Palestinians chose an industry that alienates them from the world and hurts their economy.

Since Israel constructed the security barrier, Palestinian suicide bombings are down to almost zero, though the attempts continue. Countless lives have been saved. Yes, the barrier hasn’t been good for business in the Palestinian areas. But why blame Israel for Palestinian career choices?

Michael Berenhaus