It is not just African Americans who identify with the sufferings of the Palestinians.  I have been well aware of this fact as a member of African American lists, but also worried for at least the last decade that more and more Americans as well as others might turn against Israel’s mistreatment of the Palestinians.  The parallels with the occupations of WW2 strike those of us who experienced them as frightening.  It is almost impossible for a deeply resented occupying nation to justify its actions as security measures.  The tit-for-tat of Israel/Palestine does not reflect either equal standing or equal measures of harm done by each.  No one can defend the stupid firing of rockets by Gazans at Israel.  But even less so can Israel justify its massive attacks with rockets and bombs on Palestinians, the assassinations from on high that harm families and all in the vicinity.

This is not to say that the U.S. is not guilty of parallel wrongs being done where it, too, has chosen to attack and occupy.  “Collateral damage” is no excuse for killing, wounding, and frightening innocents — particular children.  Enough already!  It is time to move into the future and to end the wrongs of the past.  Ed Kent]