To the editor:

The May 21st edition of the Sullivan County Democrat column Jewish Culture entitled, “Little room for politics,” written by Moshe Unger, conveniently shows little regard for history.

Mr. Unger ignores the fact that the nation of Israel was created by the forcible removal of over 750,000 Palestinians from their homeland as well as the destruction of their ancestral homes and villages.

No reparations were ever paid and Israel refuses to allow these refugees to ever return. Since this removal, Israel has engaged in obfuscation, repression and the establishment of apartheid-like conditions for Palestinians in Jerusalem, the West Bank, and the Gaza strip in addition to limiting rights of the Arab populations in Israel proper.

The question is not one of politics as Mr. Unger postulates but one of justice and self-determination for the Palestinian people.