Shamuel Afani, "Action is required in Israel as was during Apartheid" (July 23), wants Penn State to boycott countries that do not respect human rights, but he singles out Israel while ignoring all others, thus demonstrating his bias.
What territory is firing rockets at its neighbor on a daily basis with the goal of destroying it? Hamas-controlled Gaza.
Where are the freedoms of speech, religion and assembly restricted to the point that people fear arrest or worse if they say anything against the government? Gaza and the West Bank.
Where do so-called collaborators who provide information to stop suicide-bomb attacks receive the death penalty? Gaza and the West Bank.
Where is every religion allowed to freely practice, while the press and the people are free to criticize the government? Israel.
Afani also accuses Israel of building an "Apartheid wall." Less than 2 percent of the security barrier is an actual wall, the rest is just a fence. Fences can be torn down; lives cannot be replaced. When it is no longer needed, it will disappear.
I do agree that we should pressure violators of human rights. Let's start with the Palestinian territories, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Egypt, Syria and Lebanon. And let's praise Israel for rising above the brutality of its neighbors.
Josh Lipowsky
Class of 2003
