July 24, 2006

Dear Nexus Editor:

Poor little Israel indeed!

If nothing else, the present conflict should lay to rest the myth of poor little helpless Israel – surrounded and threatened by so many hostile Arab enemies. With the complete support of the world's #1 superpower USA, Israel, the #1 Middle East super power has been laying waste to Lebanon with impunity from the air, land and sea. The feeble counter attack by Hezbollah exposes the myth of a united Arab world threatening to drive Israel into the sea.

The myth of the US role as an "honest broker" trying to bring peace to the middle East has also been exposed by its delivery of jet fuel and bombs to Israel during hostilities and a veto of a UN resolution for an immediate cease fire.

With these myths out of the way, it's time to address the real issue, Israel's attempt to take over the whole West Bank by slow motion ethnic cleansing, one illegal settlement at a time. Israel is in violation of the UN's call for a "two state" solution to end the conflict.

Innocent civilians on both sides are paying the price for US support of Israel's expansionist agenda.

Bill Hagel
Woodside, NY