The Tribune’s suggestion in its Sept. 13 editorial “Why they hate us” that U.S. support of Israel is somehow to blame for the recent terrorist attacks in New York and Washington is ludicrous. In fact, you have it backward. It is America’s values of freedom and democracy, of which our support for Israel is only one manifestation, that was assailed Tuesday.
Today Israel, which until this tragic episode had suffered more than any nation in the world at the hands of terrorists, shares an even deeper connection with America. Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon was the first world leader to voice sympathy for America, and Israelis observed a national day of mourning. Some Palestinians, by contrast, celebrated by dancing in the streets and passing out candy. Hundreds of Israelis lined up to donate blood, and Israeli emergency relief teams, all too familiar with the grim task of sifting through rubble, volunteered to join rescue efforts in the U.S.
