Palestinians, Too, Need a Sanctuary

In his Sept. 21 op-ed, "Seeds of Anti-Semitism," Michael Gerson explained America's unwavering support for Israel despite its 40-year occupation of Palestinian land in part by saying the following: "Perhaps many Americans recall that the Jews, just six decades ago, lost one-third of their number to genocide and believe that this persecuted people deserves a secure home and sanctuary."

The Holocaust was indeed a terrible chapter in history. But the Palestinians did not commit that genocide. And despite numerous United Nations resolutions, Israel is collectively punishing an entire population with apartheid-like practices -- including a "security" wall, checkpoints, Israeli-only settlements and roads that separate thousands of Palestinians from their relatives, land, jobs and schools. Many Palestinians live in severe poverty as a result.

It is time for the United States to place conditions on its substantial financial aid to Israel and insist that it demonstrate the principles of civil and human rights on which its creation was based.

PAM RASMUSSEN

Derwood