Conflict is not between Palestinians and Jews

Editor: After carefully reading the front page article "Two Palestinian-Israeli wars" by Kyle Berger in the June 21 edition of the Jewish Western Bulletin I would like to make some comments.

I believe that people here fail to understand that members of our community who speak critically about the state of Israel are allowing themselves to become a tool to be used by the very sophisticated Arabic organizations in town.

The rabbi who was invited to "offer a Jewish perspective on the increasing tensions between Jewish and Palestinian supporters throughout the world" began his comments by saying that he risked being "cast out" from his own community for speaking. With all respect, I would suggest that this rabbi only represents himself and not any wider cross-section of Jewish opinion, and that his statement indicates his realization of that fact.

There is no conflict between Palestinians and Jews; the conflict is between Palestinians and Israelis regarding the piece of land that lies between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea.

The sophisticated Palestinian propaganda machine succeeds from time to time in catching naïve Jews here and in using them for its own benefit. I think it's time people realized that democracy does not necessarily entail the right to shoot oneself in the foot. I support every discussion between people from different religions to try to bring more patience and understanding to the world, but I suggest that these people should not try to solve political problems 6,500 miles from here.

Ran Bagg
Israeli Emissary
Jewish National Fund of Canada, Pacific Region