Rob Hall

In response to "Mal Heylar" (Beacon, August 23)

Regarding my letter (Beacon, Friday, August 16). Unfortunately Malcolm Heylar has either misunderstood or, read some non existent statements into my previous response.

I do not imply that all Muslims are terrorists, quite the contrary. I make a distinction between Muslims and fanatical Islamists.  NZ Herald (11 July 2005) article  by Zain Ali, "Everyday Islam, nothing to fear." where he argues that the everyday face of Islam is misrepresented in the West.

He describes the true representatives of Islam as "everyday people, the ones who probably live next door, who are working hard to earn a living, making sure that their kids get an education and stay out of trouble.

These are the silent, law abiding majority. These are the people who came to this country, as did my (his) parents in the hope of a better future."  

In 2005, Zain Ali was a PhD candidate in the Department of Philosophy at the University of Auckland. His article was printed four days after the London bus/train bombings.

The four bombers responsible were "Characterised as ordinary British citizens" (Brittanica.com). al Quaeda terrorists nonetheless. Not Israelis, nor British patriots.

The issue is with Islamic law (Shariah). In his article, Zain explains the deliberate reduction of the Islamic law down to four conservative schools of thought leading to a rigid reading of the Koran as well as legal opinions (fatwas) that scholars could no longer overturn or even question.

He states, "Islamic law is caught up in the imitation of medieval norms, which have trumped legal and social innovation." Thereby confirming there are two  factions in the Muslim world; a) those that are hard-working, peace-loving and law abiding, and, b) the radical fundamental Islamists that choose to promote the hateful teachings of their Imam's i.e. The murdering of all infidel, even if it means sacrificing their own people (suicide bombers) to achieve their goal.

Does Mr Heylar find this as laughable as my comments regarding Hamas using human shields? Perhaps there is a better explanation as to why Hamas plant their rocket launchers in populated areas, close to schools, and hospitals etc.

How is it that caches of arms and ammunition have been found hidden in and around hospital equipment?  and  tunnels with fully equipped communications rooms beneath.

The IDF was accused of bombing a hospital in Gaza when in fact mainstream media truthfully reported the explosion was a Hamas rocket that malfunctioned and detonated prematurely.

Agreed, not all Palestinians are Muslim. There is an ancient Christian church in Gaza, however, the Hebrews were there prior to its construction.

There are many references to that area in the Old Testament. The prophet Samuel was buried in Gaza.

The three main religions quoted for Palestine prior to 1946 remain unchanged. However as regards "Palestinian Jews" both former Israel Prime Ministers, Golda Meir and Menachem Benin were both Russian Jews, the former born in Kiev; the latter in Brest. Belarus.

Israelites existed centuries before 1947 and Ben Gurion's suggestion to name the land. By definition an Israelite is a descendant of the Hebrew patriarch Jacob, whos name was changed to Israel after an all-night fight at Penuel. (Genesis 32:28).

The annexing of Jerusalem occured after the Six Day War. The UN Security Council called for a withdrawal from all occupied territory but Israel declined; permanently annexing East Jerusalem.

Israel let it be known that Gaza, the West Bank, the Golan Heights and the Sinai would be returned in exchange for Arab recognition of the right for Israel to exist and guarantees against future attack.

The Arabs decided upon a policy of no peace, no negotiations, and no recognition of Israel. (History.com)

Since 2015, the UN General Assembly has adopted 140 resolutions criticising Israel, mainly over its treatment of Palestinians, its relationships with neighbouring countries and other alleged wrong doings. Over the same time, it has passed 68 resolutions against all other countries.

Ref : U.N. Watch

Several other countries which have poor human rights records or were involved in regional conflicts have not been criticised or had resolutions passed against them.

One UN rapporteur has described this situation as "lopsided“. In 2020, Israel was condemned three times more than all other countries combined.

In June 1983, the Heritage Foundation produced a scathing and lengthy report (estimated 37 minutes reading) titled: "The United Nations' Campaign Against Israel." I quote the last paragraph of that report:

"If the UN does not cease harassing Israel, the US should consider boycotting General assembly discussions on the Middle East. At stake is the very credibility of the UN as a forum for mediating conflict in that crucial area of the world."

Four decades on and without change, is it any wonder Israel is reluctant to respond to the demands of the UN? Where is "the presence of justice?

Despite criticism, President Netenyahu has agreed to proposals for peace and will attend the planned ceasefire talks in Egypt. Hamas has declined to attend, they are accusing USA of favouritism toward Israel.

There can be no progress toward peace at a one sided negotiation table, nor can such deliberate absenteeism benefit those who remain hostages in Gaza.

Mr. Helyar makes comparison between the release of Palestinian prisoners from Israel and the release of Israeli hostages and the story of Liat Atseli's experience in captivity sounding as if she was returning from a holiday. World TV was shown van loads of happy looking hostages.

What else would you expect if you were a terrorist organisation trying to gain world support? Scan through the web to find several news sites detailing the reason why the hostages looked happy and the reason the Israeli authorities stopped their reporting to the media.

They were medicated with a mood enhancer that can last up to 50 days after administration. (Ref: News.com, Y Net, Times of Israel, JNS.org, CNN). There were no hearses following behind transporting hostages Hamas have murdered in captivity. Their bodies remained in Gaza to be found later by the IDF. Hamas must regard us as extrenely gullible and naive.

There is a website documentary by a survivor, Moran Stella Yamai. Titled: "Screams before Silence." A Saudi Princess has written a series of books under a pseudonym (for safety of her own and her childrens lives). She tells of real life conditions living under an oppressive Islamic Shariah administration and the penalties meted out for lawbreaking.

She witnessed the assasination of her sister at the hands of her father. Princess, by, Jean Sasson is the first in the series. "Not Without My Daughter" by Betty Mahmoudy. Many others have written their stories of escape from tyranny.

Finally, to address Mr.Heylar's statement regarding the British Parliament. Agreed there are a considerable number of Muslims in Britain suggesting they have no representation.

However, this is neither racist nor undemocratic. All MPs in the British Parliament gain their seat in Government via a democratic process, i.e. through the ballot box in every general election, regardless of their colour, ethnicity, or religious beliefs.

The same system applies to representatives in provincial government. As time goes by the Muslim community are getting more of their demands met.

The current Mayor of Leeds, a devout Islamist Muslim. The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, invited the City to celebrate Ramadam by exchanging the traditional Christian Christmas illuminations for a display favouring Eastern religion.

Former Great Britain Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak celebrates Diwali. Current Prime Minister Keir Starmer recently introduced legislation specifically for the protection of rights for muslims. The Christian Church of England is in the process of being disestablished. What grounds have they, or their supporters, for claiming  Racism?