Edition No.49
Sept. 2006 – Oct. 2006
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Zionism – A Letter to Frank Stein, Director, ZFA Israel
Our
newsletter endeavours to be apolitical and to provide a forum for
Australians and New Zealanders residing in Israel.
Frank Stein, ZFA Israel Director, received the following e-mail we
believed was important to share with our readers.
This was one of many anti-Israel letters that he received and responded
to.
Unfortunately, it isn't news to the majority of us that many people
derive their information from the media and form opinions without first
exploring all the facts. The following serves, though, as a reminder.
Sent:
Wednesday, August 30, 2006 6:09 AM
To: israeloffice@zfa.com.au
Subject: Zionism
I have never been very interested in the Middle East & all the implications therein until now.
I was shocked at the Israeli 'war on Hezbalah' & all the death & destruction your cohorts in Israel rough in their so called clean up of terrorists.
I watched on my TV as planes dropped bombs on all & sundry & the death & destruction that was rought.
Then when a peace had been negoiated your 'people' dropped cluster bombs.
What a evil thing to do.
I have been looking into the Zionist cause & am horrified that there are organisations like yours flourishing in any land outside Israel.
I have come to the conclusion that your organization opperating in any nation but Israel should be classed as a terrorist organisation & therefore be banned from practicing your form of elitism & hatred.
Are you citizens of the nations in which you live or are you Zionists?
Seems you cannot be both as you push for Zionism at every turn.
I personally cannot see how you can ply your form of hatred & elitism without conscience.
Since your last little 'war' I have decided to boycott any business who is outwardly Jewish & especially those that have come to my great land (Australia) to screach racism at every turn.
Your lot are not a race, but a nasty, elitist anti-everything but Israel organisation that should be banned.
Zionists must leave the nations they live in & go home to Israel where they belong.
Yours most sincerely,
M.D. (name edited for privacy – Ed.)
Billinudgel NSW 2483
From:
Frank Stein [mailto:israeloffice@zfa.com.au]
Sent: Friday, September 01, 2006 8:12 AM
Subject: RE: Zionism
Dear M.D.
I am shocked at the hatred you display yet at the same time purporting to not have had any interest in the subject previously. The Zionist Movement was the aspiration for the Jewish people to live in their historical home in a free and democratic state. I don't believe that anyone can deny the Jewish people the same basic right as any other nation on earth.
It would take hours for me to go through the history and background of the very sad story that is the Middle East. However, if you are a fair person you would see that this is not a one sided situation and that the vast majority of people on all sides want nothing but to live in peace. It is tragic that innocent people were killed on both sides. Are you aware that over 3000 missiles and rockets were fired against populated areas in Israel and that over 1 million people spent the month in bomb shelters?
Are you also aware that when Israel pulled out of Southern Lebanon 5 years ago, the Lebanese army was given the task, by the United Nations, to take control over Southern Lebanon, rather than a private militia – Hizbollah? The deal now brokered is for the sovereign Lebanese army to take charge of Southern Lebanon, a move we all hope will bring about a peaceful time in the region.
Zionists are not only Jews, there are people from all faiths who believe in the right of the Jewish people to their own sovereign homeland. In no country do they call for hatred of any people, nor for local action against anyone. It is not the Jewish people who are demonstrating calling for the destruction of any nation or people. In all countries in which Jews live, they are loyal citizens.
I have Australian citizenship as well, and have been and always will be a loyal law abiding citizen.
Your wish desire to boycott Jewish businesses smacks of racism, something which you accuse us of being. Have you ever spoken with anyone who is Jewish? Have you tried to understand the very deep issues behind the conflict. On my part, I am close with a considerable number of both Palestinian and Moslem people. We don't necessarily agree politically, which is fine, but we respect each other and all hope that we will soon be able to live in a new Middle East, in peace and with mutual respect.
None of us speak with hatred.
I hope you will find the time to look at the issues and whilst not necessarily agreeing with the Zionist stance, that you at least understand enough to know that there is no issue here of racism.
Frank Stein
Israel Office
Zionist Federation of Australia Ltd
Kiryat Moriah,
Jerusalem
ISRAEL