X-Message-Number: 17618
Date: Wed, 19 Sep 2001 13:26:20 -0400
From: "Raphael T. Haftka" <>
Subject: Is terror getting a bad name?

My father was a terrorist

Reading the discussion by Ettinger, Darwin and others, I was gratified for 
the support for Israel. I worry, though, that we fall into the trap of 
viewing terrorists as misguided or deranged individuals, supported by 
fanatics. This is dangerous because it then becomes difficult to appreciate 
the wide support that they may enjoy. So I wanted to contribute a bit of 
personal history.

My late father was a terrorist during the 1940s in Palestine. He told me 
once that he regretted not participating in the mission that blew up the 
King David Hotel in Jerusalem in 1947. He admired the organizers, including 
(later) Israeli Prime minister Begin, and voted for him in several elections.

I love my father, and I knew him as a good and honest man. Terrorism is a 
traditional weapon of the underdog. Since we are not underdogs, we are the 
target rather than the perpetrators of terrorism. However, we should not 
forget that our view of terrorism is colored by the fact that we are top dogs.

Rafi Haftka

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