Editor:
I was not surprised to read the letter by Jan Michael Sherman ("Unbalanced narrative," Coast Reporter, Jan. 1). There currently is a world wide concerted effort by the Israelis to re-brand their image with the policy being set at the heads of Missions Conference that has just wrapped up. This quote is from the website (www.mfa.gov.il) of the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs: "A major part of the conference will be devoted to examining Israel's integration and potential contribution to items on the world agenda such as the environment, renewable energy, water and sewage treatment, and new technologies. The participants will discuss how to develop and promote Israel's foreign relations and its image as a country that contributes to creating a better future for everyone. They will also talk about the rise of new global powers and how to deal with them."
The gloss is not convincing and the second sentence reveals the real purpose of this conference/gathering. The growing condemnation of the policies of the Israeli government towards the Palestinians has prompted this response from Israel, and we can look forward to more complaints from people like Mr. Sherman and other apologists for the apartheid regime he so stoutly defends. If you think apartheid is too strong a word to describe what is happening in Palestine, then take a look at the five UN General Assembly resolutions and 221 (yes, 221!) UN Security Council resolutions that Israel is in violation of.
Finally, the letters and articles that I have read in the local papers have criticized the actions of both sides in this sad conflict (as did the recently published Goldstone Report into the operation known as "Cast Lead"). Mr. Sherman's letter disingenuously suggests otherwise.
Christopher Bradley
Gibsons
