Reject Chivo's view

Editor: Mr. Jack Chivo recently wrote a long letter to your paper (Bulletin, Dec. 21) that raised questions of the legitimacy, sincerity and honesty of organizations such as Al-Awda and the Middle East Crisis Committee. I am a member of the first and work very closely with the second. I can reassure your readers that both organizations are totally dedicated to the righteous cause of Palestinian freedom and peace with justice in the Middle East conflict.

Mr. Chivo finds himself at odds with these organizations' mission, or that of other groups and individuals (such as Jews for a Just Peace or Mr. Jeff Halper) who believe that fighting for the fundamental human rights of people in Palestine, as enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, is not only utterly irreproachable but undeniably conscientious and the duty of anyone who wants to be called a human being. The majority of the world's people is of the view that justice for the people of Palestine after half-a-century of belligerent colonial-style Israeli oppression is long overdue. More citizens in North America and Europe, influential supporters of Israel, are also slowly coming around to this correct and compassionate view, thanks, in no small measure, to the work of the organizations to which Mr. Chivo has expressed such a deep aversion and dislike. In this context, Mr. Chivo's complaints should be rejected for their total disconnection with reality.

Sadu Nanjundiah
Physics department,
Central Connecticut State University