TO THE EDITOR:
I am disappointed to read the Editorial Board column drawing parallels between the plight of African-American communities and the coexistence between Israelis and Palestinians.
The connection is simplistic and ill-informed. Even the column acknowledges that there are different contexts and then immediately dismisses this fundamental difference. The necessity for meaningful discussion and reform between African-American communities and police is not in question. Rather, as the column itself states, the context is so radically different as to undermine the column’s entire argument.
Israel, like every country, has its share of flaws. However, myopically singling out Israel — the world’s only Jewish state — for condemnation is biased at best, if not anti-Semitic.
The editorial makes no distinctions between Palestinians living in the West Bank (Areas A, B and C) and the Gaza Strip and Israel proper. The political and security climates in each of these different areas are varied. Above all, these realities are not dictated unilaterally by Israel.
Both the Israeli and Palestinian governments are successfully seeking ways to elevate equal access to higher education, natural resources and jobs that would better the lives of Palestinians. Israel welcomes innovation and growth and was founded on inclusivity and understanding. Comparing the shooting of unarmed Black men by police officers to the free will of the Palestinian people undermines the very social justice we are discussing in America and inaccurately depicts the Israeli-Palestinian relationship.
Carolina students deserve more reasoned, accurate and balanced analysis of these two unique, complex situations.
Danielle Adler
Junior
