Mr. Haddad, who wrote "Palestinians are victimized by Israel taking their land" (Aug. 5), makes several valid points in his rebuttal to my argument, but still exhibits a double standard.

Why is Abu Ghraib a symbol of U.S. hypocrisy?

Abu Ghraib is a symbol of a handful of stupid Americans making stupid decisions. Further, my original point was made even clearer by Mr. Haddad's argument. He blames the United States as a whole for Abu Ghraib, yet he exonerates Saudi Arabia for its role in exporting terror as well as the Palestinians who specifically target women and children.

He also mentions Fallujah, though I expect he means Haditha.

I would remind Mr. Haddad that every single Marine accused of anything has been exonerated in a courtroom after being condemned in the media, much like Newsweek's infamous "Koran flushing" incident, which never happened.

Mr. Haddad accurately observes that it is illegal to acquire lands by force. Is it not the goal of the Palestine Liberation Organization to acquire Israel by force? I wonder if he grants the same right of self-defense to Israel that he does to the Palestinians? Since her inception under U.N. mandate, Israel has been invaded by Arab armies with the express intent of slaughtering the Jews. Until the destruction of Israel ceases to be the goal of the Palestinians, peace can not be achieved.

Stephen Johnson

Class of 2007