Fighting Terrorism Marc Shamula 11 Jan 2002 Dear Mr. Netanyahu, I just read your excellent book on fighting terrorism. It was well written, and easy to read. I've recently been having email debates with friends at least one of whom is from a Lebanese background. The amount of effort that I have to put in so that they can admit that the PLO/Muslims have a terrorism problem is incredible; I am still patiently waiting. I explained about illiteracy problems, dictatorships, abuse of women, censorship, fundamentalism, etc. They distrust the US media, and Israel, I just don't get it. I would like to offer some suggestions: 1. It might be helpful if you had pages devoted to statistics/graphs. For example, how many terrorist bombings were there, etc. It is safe to assume that people are ignorant of many historical details and they fill them in with their imaginations. Statistics/graphs might help put the problems in their proper perspective. 2. I care about all people. There is a perception in the Arab world that Israel is the root cause of all problems. That Arafat and other dictators are looking out for the Muslim cause. I think that the PLO and other Arab states are not looking out for the best interests of its citizens. There has been much propaganda; these myths should be dispelled. I am not sure that you should be the one, but the Arab world should be encouraged to speak out. Actually, the Arab world has not only been hostile toward Israel, they have been hostile to themselves, and that problem should be addressed. 3. How to fight terrorism, is an extremely, extremely important question for you to adequately answer. There is not one way but many ways. This requires (a) ethical axioms, such as we seek the welfare of all people, (b) understanding the PLO, its leaders, Islam, terrorists, cults, totalitarianism, dealing with violence, (c) creatively generating many possible solutions to terrorism, (d) reading history, psychology, philosophy, ethics, logic/critical thinking. For example, there have been various movements such as women's liberation, equal rights for blacks, etc. that required changing a particular worldview, that might have applications here. Now that more people are aware of terrorism, there is probably a growing literature that deals with this discipline. (e) getting a few teams of experts from many different disciplines and research/development people to analyze the alternatives. The team can consist of people that support and do not support the use of violence, as both approaches can be used. You m ight be able to attract some of the top thinkers in the world. 4. I think a huge part of the problem is education. Most Muslims accept that the Koran is the absolute truth. If they are ignorant of Islam, as many are, they can be shown many verses in the Koran that advocate violence. How can they argue against Islam? If they are knowledgeable of Islam, they might be more aware of a diversity of views regarding Islam, but it is hard to dismiss the violent passages in the Koran. This is a sensitive topic; there are many Jews, Muslims, and Christians who have not been exposed to a critical analysis of their fundamental belief system. Should there be a reformation, how and whether the process be brought about should be explored. Should a reformation involve minor or major changes to Islam? Often fundamentalists go out of their way not to be exposed to heretical views, and they are deeply committed So subtle messages might not work. 5. I read the Mitchell report. I’ve argued with my friends concerning Chomsky. I’ve listened to Palestinians being critical, of the way Israel treats them. I am not in a position to understand to what extent Israel is to blame. The Mideast crisis makes ethical decisionmaking very difficult. For example, one could argue that the United States was helping the Afghan people by having a war on terror. But Israel should try to be sensitive to the needs of the Palestinians, when it does not jeopardize security. And to the extent Israel has been to blame they should seek to improve the situation. Personally, I believe that if Israel took a nonviolent stance, that they would give a generous amount of land and money to the Palestinians, that they would help them with their economy, that they would get Muslim/Jewish leaders to preach peace, that they would improve the curriculum in Israel/PLO, they would have interstate dialogues, and signed a peace treaty, there would be a chance of genuine peace, but also a chance of having an intifada or an all out war, and they'll blame Israel. I am open minded to any violent or nonviolent solution that works in achieving peace. As the book and what it represents is a very important mission to you and the world, I respectfully encourage you to have as much research done as possible so that we can be confident that your ultimate approach to fighting terrorism can achieve as peaceful a world as we can possibly make it. Sincerely yours, Marc Shamula |
The Case Agianst Israel's Enemies by Alan Dershowitz 
Coming from England and particularly from the BBC, MUST BE SEEN VIDEO! ANOTHER MUST SEE VIDEO |