What is our responsibility in Israel's aggression against the people of Gaza and Lebanon? What is America's responsibility in the bombing of bridges, civilian airports, seaports, highways, water treatment plants, electrical plants, food processing plants, high-rise apartments, U.N. observers, civilians trying to escape in private vehicles, etc?
What is our responsibility to the 500 killed and to half the population of Lebanon displaced? To the many more who will die of disease and starvation?
Do we even realize that Israel's F-16 fighter jets and Apache helicopters are supplied by the United States? That the missiles, white phosphorus and cluster bombs are made in the United States? That 20 percent of the Israeli military budget comes directly from the U.S. taxpayer, to the tune of billions of dollars a year? Do we realize that the use of U.S. weapons to target civilians is against international and domestic law? Do we realize that Israel would stop tomorrow if the United States cut off its weapons and aid?
What must we do if we know that our government is refusing to call for a ceasefire, giving the green light to war crimes?
Jamie Partridge
Northeast Portland
