I have always considered Carmen Cerra’s “Poison Ink” cartoons to be the artwork of a well-educated individual, but I was disgusted with today’s portrayal of Israel as the real threat in the Middle East. Can Mr. Cerra remember the last time an Israeli suicide bomber entered a crowded bus in Baghdad to kill as many as possible? Or maybe the threat comes from Israel trying to distribute gas masks to protect their citizens from the threat of chemical and biological weapons from Iraq.

Israel’s nuclear capability has never been confirmed, but it seems that Mr. Cerra has some insider information about just how much of a threat Israel really is. Have you ever visited Israel, Carmen? Do you know that every child, at the age of 18, joins the Israeli Defense Force? Not because they want to, because they have to. Do you know that terrorist attacks happen on a daily basis? Fortunately, these children who are forced into the army know how to defend their country.

Israel is surrounded by hostile Arab nations who outnumber the people of Israel by millions. Without a strong military, Israel would have never survived to provide a safe haven to millions after the Holocaust and millions more around the world who are escaping persecution to this day.

I may not agree with the current peace policies of the Likud party, but Israel’s threat in the Middle East is pale in comparison to the chemical and biological warfare that is being developed in Iraq.

Josh Katelman

Sophomore

Business

Treasurer of ISU Hillel