One-sided debate

Stanley Heller is at it again, whitewashing Palestinian violence and blaming Israelis for defending themselves against terrorism.

⏩ Reporter Akleh was shot by a stray bullet when she was among Palestinian terrorists attacking Israeli police.

⏩ Israeli doctors often treat Gazans and other foreigners, but they don’t have to. Why doesn’t Heller demand treatment for Gazans from Gazan or Egyptian doctors?

⏩ Heller doesn’t notice that Gazans fire thousands of missiles every year at Israeli civilians, but complains bitterly when Israelis finally respond — except that Israel fires only at military targets which, however, Hamas deliberately stations in apartment houses, schools, and mosques.

The most shocking fact Heller tries to hide is that the Palestinians could have had their own independent country 85 years ago when the British Peel Commission offered them a part of the Jewish Homeland. Their leaders refused to compromise. They refused again in 1947 (when the Jews accepted the UN compromise), and in 2000, 2008 and 2020. It’s their own fault that they’re surviving on international welfare, with 40 to 60 percent unemployment.

Heller clearly doesn’t know the meaning of “apartheid” under which minorities are denied the majority’s opportunities. In Israel all institutions are open equally to all Israeli citizens. Israeli-Arabs are students, doctors, lawyers, teachers, politicians, artists, etc. just like Israeli-Jews and Christians. Calling Israel “apartheid” is simply a lie.

Israel is the start-up nation that has given the world the latest computer and communications technology, drip irrigation, medicines, surgical equipment all of which benefit society and return a hefty profit to us in Connecticut on our financial investments. Yes, state employees, and retirees like me, and candidates for Connecticut treasurer should enthusiastically approve our state’s investment in Israeli-affiliated companies.

Larisa Polonskaya Woodbridge