Salient. Official Newspaper of the Victoria University Students' Association. Vol 41 No. 9. April 24 1978

Terror in Uniform

Terror in Uniform

As indicated, the terrorism of the Israeli forces did not cease when the old terror gangs donned the uniforms of the official Israeli Army. The recent Israeli invasion into Southern Lebanon is a long anticipated event for the boundaries of Israel on the map have been that of a burgeoning amoeba. As early as the Paris Peace Conference in 1919 the Zionist cause has specifically claimed the area south of the Litani River. To this effect, the Israeli Air Force and Navy have been carrying out many attacks on settlements in Southern Lebanon over the last few years. Since 1972, the Israelis have even abandoned the attempt to link their raids with specific Palestinian geurilla attacks.

Then, last month, the Israelis adopted their habitual pretense of self protection in invading the Lebanon to, "clear out the Palestinian infestation once and for all". 8 The formula is quite simple: the Palestinians are driven out of their homes to the border states and Israel extends to the limits of international acceptance. Next, border incidents are provoked by the Israeli forces against Palestinians, the Israelis claim they are compelled to invade for self protection to cast out these pestilent Palestinians and the cycle is ready to begin once more.

The function of the Israeli armed forces, for all their uniforms and sophisticated Phantoms and Sky hawks, is therefore exactly the same as that of the old terror gangs; to drive out the "alien" native population and replace them with Israelis.

"Terror" is an expression used here in a very much different sense than that adopted by the Israeli Ambassador. His use of the word is designed to create hysteria rather than a critical understanding, hypocritically condemning the raids into the lands the Palestinains once owned, while ignoring the rampages of his army through the Middle East and his secret police assassinations squads through Europe.

"Terror" is a word that should be used sparingly, not senselessly and indiscriminately any time the dispossessed and frustrated retaliate against the fat and comfortable. It should only be used after a thorough examination of the motives involved, the alternatives available and the justice sought. Israel's actions, past and present, are based on the motives of racism, denying the available alternative of a negotiated peace and the justice of the oppressor.

Photo of Menachem Begin

Menachem Begin, Prime Minister of Israel