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a12 tribune february 3 1988 s lets mind our own business dear editor when people in the media report on world affairs theyre quick to criticize what they see without once bothering to look back into modern history to find reasons for such events im particularly thinking of the present trouble afflicting israel and the riots taking place m the west bank and gaza strip in 1948 at the end of the british mandate in palestine the united nations in their wisdom created the new state of israel which from a military point of view was indefensible no sooner bad it been created it was attacked by surrounding hostile states who refused to recognize this intruder in their midst nearly successful in their efforts to push the israelis into the sea the transjordan forces got within a few miles of the mediterranean coast if they had reached the sea israel would have been cut in two and once more the new jewish homeland would have been in jeopardy its not surprising israel considers its security top priority sever al other attempts have been made by surrounding states to dismem ber israel but have come away with a bloody nose whether israel is justified in keeping forces on the west bank and gaza strip is debatable from both a moral and political point of view however as seen through israeli eyes its necessary in order to survive as a nation as long as they remain where they are they must maintain law and order in the midst of abundant provocation in my opinion theyve shown admirable restraint what would other countries do if faced with a similar situation roll over and let themselves be slaughtered by rioting teenagers these youngsters encouraged by those behind the scenes are deliberately used by their leaders as part of the game but if one gets injured or killed by the forces of law and order its blazoned across the world with such headlines another youngster killed by israeli forces its these teenagers who are in their front line doing all the rioting recently i watched a tv news program where a british foreign office member was visiting the scene talking to an israeli army officer criticizing what he saw and suggesting methods to handle the situation 1 said to myself what would margaret thatcher have said if an israeli official visited northern ireland and told her what she should do to clear up the mess i can imagine what her answer would be flying visits by officials and observers from other coun tries only inflame the situation why do other countries away from the scene always manage to interfere in other peoples business when assessing this particular trouble spot you cannot liken it to rioting between people of the same religion and philosophy on the one side you have arab fanatacism on the other the intransigence of the jewish faith and philosophy the old adage still rings true everyone knows how to cure a kicking horse except the one who owns it sincerely adam johnstone rri stouffville store hours open monday thru saturday 8 am to 9 pm closed sundays walton location sn 8 am to 6 p palmolive dishwashing detergent 1 litre bottle