Israel not the problem

Dear editor:

The Middle East, home to the Arab people, birthplace of civilization and the three major religions of Judaism, Christianity and Islam, is showing itself currently to be the most dangerous hotspot in the world. A quick look at the current political and religious situation in the region is a frightening story of death and destruction.

Iraq, where “democracy” was claimed with elections that showed its pride by people declaring their participation showing a purple ink stained finger, is now in the middle of a civil war between religious factions of Shia and Sunni. Daily attacks and explosions are commonplace in this country that kills and maims civilians and American troops.

Next door in Afghanistan a resurgent Taliban, an extremist Muslim group, is fighting American (coalition) troops in an unending battle for control of the country and the minds of its people.

In Lebanon an extremist, religious Fatah military wing, backed by Syria, is battling the country’s army in an effort to overthrow the elected government.

In the Palestinian territory of Gaza, Hamas and Fatah are killing each other, in another civil war, for control of the legally elected government.

Kurds and the government of Turkey are threatening each other, on a regular basis, and war on this border with Iraq would not be a surprise to anyone.

And all of these people are forever threatening the State of Israel, even though they cannot get along with their own countrymen. When is the world going to realize that Israel has nothing to do with the wars that these religious fanatics are fighting amongst themselves? As a matter of fact, the greatest defense Israel has going for itself is the inability of the Arabs to get along together. If Israel disappeared tomorrow nothing would change in the Arab world. The killing would go on.