In response to Mr. Sketchley’s letter, entitled Israel faces threats, he asks: “What does Weatherill recommend to stop that dishonesty?” The “dishonesty” refers to ongoing threats from surrounding Arab nations to annihilate the State of Israel, and with that I have no problem with Israel’s defence of itself.
What I do have a problem with, is the Israeli version of lebensraum, loosely defined as the territory that a state or nation believes is needed for its natural development. This has been demonstrated by the incursion into Arab territory of Jewish settlements, and although not official supported by Israel, nevertheless not condemned by that state either.
But what is more troubling is Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu’s apparent support of the founding father of Zionism, Theodore Herzl’s definition of a Greater Israel, which is the area of the Jewish state stretches: “From the Brook of Egypt (the Nile) to the Euphrates.”
Mr. Sketchley asks what do I recommend? I recommend simply that Israel refute this plan, in word and in deed. But, if Israel’s idea of a good defence being a good offence, then just how far does it intend to go in its pursuit of defence?
Richard Weatherill
Saanich
