Images of Israeli bullets and bombs cold-bloodedly murdering and wounding Muslims are now a common sight on TV. The Israelis continue to commit these barbaric actions because of the ineffectiveness of the
UN which is paralysed by the American veto resulting in a callous disregard of Muslim lives. 

American politicians from across the political spectrum are shedding large tears for the three Israelis killed while barely noting the deaths of Palestinians. At the same time, the Zionist media calls for a "painful
lesson" to be taught to the Arabs. Every imaginable derogatory remark is being used against the Arabs in the Jewish-controlled American media - the latest is "Sand Monkeys". 

Unfortunately, we have very few people in the Muslim world who monitor the Western media and analyze it. If we did, we would notice that now newspapers in New York, Los Angeles and Miami use the word "we" as a collective term including the USA and Israel. 
This is a very dangerous trend and, if continued, will increase the Anti-Arab feeling among the public. The United States of any president, be he Clinton or Al Gore or George Bush Jr., is the friend, mentor, armourer and financier of Israel. Let us keep that in mind. 
In the U.S. budget debate there are acrimonious exchanges between the Republicans and Democrats on allocations of funds for social services. There are talks of cutting them back. But when it comes to the
yearly payment of some $4 billion to Israel, there is no dissent. That itself says all. 

But what shall we do? Simply sit and watch and wait? The Arab people have had enough. The Americans keep an eye on their pockets. If we in the Arab world made a genuine and concerted effort to serve
our cause, we could do it by collective measures - and what is more, do it peacefully. 

Stop buying goods from companies that are pro-Israel and which have Jewish American-Israeli directors. To name a few of those companies who are in the forefront: Food joints - Pizza Hut and McDonalds, Cosmetic lines REVLON & Ralph Lauren, Pert Plus, ARIEL, LEVI's, EFFEM CHOCOLATES (M&M's, MARS, SNICKERS, TWIX) PAMPERS and LUX.
Show them we mean business. Our respective governments are bound by it's diplomatic accords to take any effective decisions, we as an "Ummah" will have to get up and shape up our own destiny. We will surely not die if we stop using these products, further there are better but lesser known alternatives. Of course, the results of our actions will not be immediately obvious but in the long run, they will bear fruit. 

The media must play its role by highlighting those companies that donate portions of their profits to buy bullets and bombs for Israel. 

A leading marketing chain Marks and Spencer of Britain, during the war of 1967 donated £10 million to Israel after its destruction of Arab forces, and the director of the company is purported to have said as he handed over the check, "Break their bones" - meaning of course Arab bones. Hundreds of Arabs shop at these stores every day. 

This indifference, complacency and apathy is harming Arab interests and creating the image that Arabs can be pushed and shoved around without so much as a murmur or a protest of any kind. By boycotting
products of those which support Israel and its murderous policies, we can all, in our own way, send a strong message. The Arab market is a big one and a profit-making one. And the Americans know that very
well. 

Let us flex our muscles a bit and show them we really mean business this time. 

Repression at it's worst- Dan  USA, 

I really have a problem with both sides in the Palestine-Israel dispute.  It seems that Israel hasn't learned from history.  For many centuries, they were the repressed, but for the last 50 years, it seems that they have become the repressors.  It seems so hard to believe that they of all people could stand for this behavior.  The Palestinians are not much better.  I do feel that they were given a raw deal so many years ago and deserve better than what they have now.  The Israelis treat them like dirt, almost like the South Africans did to the blacks.  There is definitely an apartheid occurring in the middle east.  I really cannot understand how the American people can stomach what is going on over there.  I suspect it is because we are fed so much Israeli propaganda, much of which is supported by the American government.  It seems to me that the US should remove foreign aid to any regime that supports the kind of treatment to it's people as is occurring in Israel now. 
We had major problems with the Chinese, but I don't think the Chinese are being as blatantly discriminatory as Israel is.  The Palestinians are a persecuted people and I can see why they rebel.  It makes no sense for them to just roll over and take whatever the Israelis are willing to give them.  The only problem that I see is that they seem to be itching for a war.  The problem here is that there would be no war.  The Israelis would end any kind of war in no time because there is not any level of competition in the entire area.  The Arab leaders know this, at least most of them.  I don't see this as a solution, but there doesn't seem to be any desire on either part to find justice and peace.  I can't understand how either side can live in this kind of
environment.  The constant insecurity would drive everyone crazy.  It seems to be that the repressors need to wake up and remember how being repressed is like.  The Palestinians need to find ways to assure the Israelis that they really want a just peace, not at any cost, but one where they can live with respect and security just like the Israelis want. 

Arm-chair critics From Mr. D. Carroll, Dubai.

Although the situation in Palestine is deplorable and no one in his right mind would want to see it go on, I am shocked at the hate mail I see on these sites. The people (if they can be called that) have no courage. They sit here in the safety of the UAE or Canada or the U.S. and criticize the US government for trying to assist in providing peace.

If these folk want to fight so much, why don't they go and help. They would be much more believable if writing with a pen in one hand and a rifle in the other. I don't think they have the courage of their convictions to do so.

A few days ago, 17 U.S. sailors were killed in a useless attack that has accomplished nothing. These are the same men and women that provided rice and water to the people of Bangladesh during the last big flood. They have gone to the aid of millions over the years and yet cowards still reap their hate on them.

Might is right From A Reader, Dubai.
Mr. Carroll (of Arm-chair critics), is a typical example of a race and a regime which believes nothing it does is ever wrong because it gives aid to lesser developed countries.

It's okay for the U.S. to back Israel, but it's not okay for others to criticize this. It's okay to be a bully, but criticizing this is cowardice. It's okay for Ariel Sharon to visit Al Aqsa Mosque in defiance of Palestinian sensitivities, but it's not okay if Palestinians protest against it. It's okay if 117 Palestinian boys and kids are shot in the head while trying to throw stones, but if 17 American sailors are killed in retaliation, it's a useless attack that has achieved nothing.

If the U.S. really wants to ensure peace, it only has to stop aid to Israel. But that won't happen because there are too many rich and influential Jews who dictate American policy. It's interests first, not justice or fairness or generosity that drives them.

The only thing the U.S. and Western countries are doing to show concern is using words such as deplorable, tragic, unfortunate, regrettable and such others to pay lip service to a cause they don't really care about.

Truth hurts - From Mr. P.A. Salam, India.
Mr. Carroll has ridiculed those who have expressed their anger at Israel and its allies. At the same time, he expresses the anguish he felt on hearing the news of a terrorist attack in which 17 American sailors were killed. It is deplorable that such terrorist attacks are happening against innocent people.

But it should be added that such incidents are in no way comparable to the state sponsored massacres being carried out against innocent Palestinians by Israel on a daily basis. It is not a secret that the U.S. has been the main provider of arms and aid to Israel all through these years.

It is true that the U.S. is the sole superpower of the world, but it doesn't give it the right to ally with an aggressor like Israel. Comparison of atrocities done by Israelis against Palestinians will make us believe that the likes of Saddams and Bin Ladens are much, much more humane. This unjust world order has to be opposed. It can be in the form of writing such letters to this column too.

Everyone need not go to the battlefield. Sometimes, a pen is mightier than a sword. That's why people like Mr. Carroll gets upset when they are confronted with the truth.

Muslim and not ONLY Arab unity - M K Hassan, Dubai.

It is great to see an Arab summit at last (although it did little for the cause), but why not a Muslim summit? Is the issue of Jerusalem just for Arabs? Al Quds is an issue for all Muslims and in every country of the world there is a community of local Muslims now, small or big. There are so many other countries whose governments are also Muslim.

Why don't Muslims unite like the non-Muslims do when their interests are in danger? Muslims must unite as one Muslim nation to regain power and dignity. Remember that Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) came as a Messenger to the whole of mankind, not just Arabs. We have to be Muslims first, then only Arabs or any other nationality. That's the way to success and strength. The Palestinian issue is a matter linked directly to Islam. Hence the Cairo summit should have included representatives from all Islamic nations, not only from Arab countries.

As a non-Arab Muslim, I feel there would be more recognition from the Western world to the outcome of an Islamic Nations Summit instead of this "exclusionary" Arab summit. A better location for the summit would have been Malaysia and it should have been held under the banner of Islamic Nations. As Muslims we all know that the Jews will never live up to any agreement. They will always be plotting in the background against the Muslims.

When will the Muslims take action to save themselves against the Zionist onslaught and not allow themselves to become a meal for the hungry dogs or like the foam on the sea, innumerable but of no use to anyone?

If we cannot act collectively through our leaders, then as individuals, let us at least make wise decisions on what we buy with our money.  All the problems Muslims face today are only because we are not united. We call ourselves Arabs, Turks, Asians first, then Muslims. Remember the days of Sultan Salahuddin when all the Muslims were united and every time large armies of Western countries attacked Muslim regions, a small army of Muslims could repel their attacks. After the passing away of Sultan Salahuddin we were divided into
Arabs, Turks and other nationalities and are facing all kinds of problems created by the Western world. Even now if we unite, a tiny country like Israel will not be able to harass much larger neighboring countries.