LETTERS: ARABS OVERLOOKED WHILE ISRAELIS ARE CRITICIZED

To the editor:

As Americans, we receive a very distorted view of the goings-on in the Middle East. Israel is constantly condemned by the United Nations, the United States and Canada for expelling convicted terrorists. Yet, during the same period, Kuwait expelled over 300,000 individuals solely for being Palestinian. The world's response? Nothing. What is the Arabs' response to the actions of Kuwait? "These things happen." These countries cynically support the Palestinians as a tool in their goal to drive the Jews from Israel but often re-press them within their own lands.

Since 1972 the United Nations has made 430 anti-Israeli resolutions. The U.N. Security Council voted to condemn Israel with three "expressions of concern," seven "warnings" and 49 "condemnations." With the single exception of the Gulf War, the Security Council never criticized any Arab nation for decades of torture, civil-rights abuses and murders of thousands of their citizens, not even President Assad of Syria's murder of 20,000 men, women and children in the town of Hom.

Regarding Israel's brief occupation of Gaza, I view it as a very well thought out strategic move to send a message. The Israeli Defense Forces took the portion of the Gaza handily and immediately withdrew. This was a message to the Palestinians that Israel wouldn't stand by and take their games lightly. It was also a message to the world that I feel must be heard. The action was defensive, not offensive. I feel the Israelis have shown enormous restraint.

VERN DAVIDSON

Scott City, Mo.