LETTERS
Palestinians' supporters must push for reform
In the decades before independence, Zionists carefully built the democratic infrastructure of a future Israeli state, complete with gender equality, minority rights, an independent judiciary and a vigorous free press. Blocking them, then later reversing their achievement has been the defining objective of the Palestinian struggle. Building a similarly free Palestinian society has never been a priority.
Now Yasser Arafat's 40 years of corrupt mayhem leaves a dangerous mess: old guard PLO versus new guard PLO versus Hamas and Islamic Jihad - some 16 separate violent militias, and Mrs. Arafat against all (there go the millions her husband siphoned monthly from his people to keep up her Parisian estate). A chance has opened to build the peaceful, honest institutions critical for Palestinian independence. Supporters here could help. They could march for Palestinian democracy, insist on fiscal accountability and a complete stop to drumming fanaticism into Palestinian children. They could demand the Palestinian minister of youth and sport never again name Palestinian youth soccer teams for suicide bombers, that the Palestinian Broadcast Authority pull the plug on music videos urging children put down their toys and seek "sweet death" through jihad.
Will Palestine's loudest champions in Ann Arbor do the real work required to build peace and a better Palestinian future? Or will they be content to just continue harassing families arriving for worship at the synagogue on Washtenaw Avenue?
Daniel S. Cutler, Ann Arbor