I read with great interest the list of restrictions imposed on movement of Palestinians, as I experienced them first-hand as an American physician of Arab descent who volunteered for the first time for a humanitarian mission in the West Bank sponsored by a physician run US non-governmental organization.
Upon my return, I tried to explain to my colleagues here in the US the difficulties we encountered in terms of getting medical supplies into the area and in moving about to the various hospitals and clinics; not surprisingly, it was hard for them to believe.
What was striking to me is the idea that it is acceptable to `inconvenience` people to the nth degree, as long as Israeli security interests are served.
Israel certainly has the right to defend itself just like any other state, but it is clear that the dignity of human beings is of little concern in the functioning of this draconian system of rules and restrictions. |
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