Mideast misguided

Max Hastings writes that “so strong is Muslim paranoia about our ill intentions toward Islam that we must do nothing that feeds it” (“Danger Zone,” PostScript, April 3).

This is terrible advice. When crazy people influence our behavior is when we start living in their world.

Joseph L. Koenig, Manhattan

British historian Hastings deserves an F in history. He claims that Muslim rage against Israel is increased because of the support for Israel by the West. The European Union and American presidents like Jimmy Carter and Barack Obama have always been pro-Arab and denied Israel the right of self-defense.

Hastings cites “Israeli expansionism” and “oppression of the Palestinians.” Actually, Israel has given to its enemies the historically Jewish Sinai, with its oil fields and natural gas, Gaza, Bethlehem, Jericho, Hebron and large areas of Judea and Samaria.

They do not oppress the Palestinians, but give them medical help, food, economic aid and allow 1 million to live inside Israel. Jews would be killed if they lived in Arab territories.

George Rubin, Manhattan

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