Many thanks to Rachel Neuwirth for so clearly not only explaining the important stakes to America in her article Disengagement: a euphemism for ethnic cleansing, but also explaining why Israel's proposed plan to expel Jews Gaza is so dangerously wrong for everyone. . 
 
In contrast, substituting name calling for facts and logic, a letter—writer dismisses most opponents  of the Gaza plan as religious fanatics.   Fanatics, whether religious or secular, have a right to express their opinion, demonstrate and otherwise participate in a democratic government.  Both the United States and Israel have very lively, very free systems where the opinions of all are acknowledged.  Incidentally, opposition to Israel's proposed ethnic cleansing disengagement is to be found in just about all segments of Israeli society, including some Israeli Arabs.  And not so incidentally, the latter are free to express their opinion, demonstrate and vote unlike their brethren in countries surrounding Israel.
 
Trotting out failed cliched solutions, he tiredly mention the two state solution.  Uh, Arafat very publicly rejected the generous opportunity to establish another squalid Arab nation as part of Oslo.  He then unleashed the brutal undeclared war against Israel which continues to this moment——blowing up buses and other civilian institutions, showering rockets on towns and other terror horrors.  He did all this because, as he publicly stated very often in Arabic to his followers, he doesn't want a two state solution, he wants a one state solution consisting only of Arabs. Israel and its Jewish inhabitants must be eliminated——"driven into the sea" is one of the kinder euphemisms.
 
Thanks again Ms. Neuwirth for reminding us of the harsh realities.
 
Ethel C. Fenig   1 25 05