Louis Schmittroth

P.O. Box 1226

Athabasca, AB

T9S2B1

780 675 4408

louis@athabascau.ca

November 24, 2002

 

Editor

Edmonton Journal

 

Dear Editor:

 

This is in response to your article (Journal Nov. 23, 2002) “Jewish group to spread pro-Israeli message.” In your article you state, “The Palestinian cause seems to be winning the public relations war …”, and I have to agree. Indeed the truth from the Occupied Territories is seeping out in spite of an overwhelming media bias in favour of Israel.

Over 3,000 international volunteers have gone to Palestine this year so far to support the Palestinian people. I went for three weeks in June and July. My grandson just got back from helping with the Olive Harvest, and was threatened daily by violent settlers trying to keep Palestinian farmers off their land--land that was owned and used for hundreds of years by their ancestors.  If these (illegal) settlers can keep the farmer-owners off their land, they simply confiscate it to expand the settlements. Some of the olive trees are hundreds of years old, dating from Roman times. It was painful to see bulldozers rip these trees out.

On my trip to the West Bank I was with Jews from around the world (many from the United States) that were there to show support and solidarity with the ordinary Palestinians who have suffered so much from the brutal Israeli military occupation of 35 years. It is this willingness of Jews both in Israel and elsewhere to stand up for peace and justice and not follow the hard right Likud line of Ariel Sharon, that will end the occupation one of these years. Indeed, the choice of a dove, Amram Mitzna to lead the Labour Party in next year’s election in Israel is a positive sign.

Both my grandson Lee Onyszchuk and I have been speaking and showing slides of our firsthand experiences of the Israeli occupation of the West Bank, and I am available to speak anywhere, almost anytime, being 78 and thoroughly retired. Just give me a call.

 

Sincerely yours,

 

Louis Schmittroth