Martha L. Henderson Letter to the Editor (to N&O?)
6/1/04
As a health professional committed to healing and peace, who has recently visited Israel and Palestine, I am deeply
saddened and outraged by Israel’s massive attacks of Palestinian refugee camps and villages, the bulldozing of homes,
and the killing of innocent civilians. US military, diplomatic, and economic support-$10 million/day-enables these acts. According
to The Israeli Center for Human Rights in the Occupied Territories (www.btselem.org) and Amnesty International (www.amnesty.org),
the recent attacks in Gaza constitute grave breaches of international law.
Israel’s construction of its “buffer zone” through Rafah refugee camp during May 13-24 caused bulldozing of 183 homes;
killing of 58 Palestinian civilians (8 children); destruction of water, sewage, electricity lines, and roads for humanitarian aide.
House demolitions continue till this day in the Gaza strip, causing thousands of refugees to become homeless. Israeli soldiers
frequently fire on Red Crescent ambulances preventing drivers and physicians from rescuing victims and sometimes causing deaths.
The international community has condemned these acts for their brutality and flagrant disregard for the 4th Geneva Convention
articles 53 and 23. I am outraged that these Israeli human rights violations are funded by US tax dollars, ignored by people of faith,
and not reported by public media. I do not wonder why our country is hated and seen as fueling the flames of terrorism when we
disregard justice, international law, and turn our backs on innocent suffering civilians. Have we forgotten the principles on which
our country was founded or, equally important, the lessons of the holocaust?
Martha L. Henderson, nurse practitioner (optional)
213 Valley Park Drive
Chapel Hill, N.C. 27514
919-933-0930
mhenders@email.unc.edu
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