My recent guest commentary on human rights abuses by the Israeli government (“We are partnered with wrong side in Middle East,” May 6) drew close to 1,000 comments. Many of them were very supportive, but I also saw an outpouring of hate that I had never experienced before, along with the accusation of anti-Semitism. While I was careful to restrict my remarks to what I believed factual, George Pyle, in Sunday’s editorial section, chastised me for some unnecessarily strong language.
In my commentary I attempted to differentiate between the Jews and their Israeli government, but it seems that the distinction eventually became blurred. Unfortunately, many of us are in the habit of talking about the Palestinians and Israel as the “Arabs” and the “Jews.”
I offer my sincere apology for any feelings I have hurt.
I am also guilty of a less than sensitive analogy, illustrating my assertion that, as much as the Jews have suffered historically, Israel should have more compassion for its neighbors.
Sometimes it’s difficult to say things in the most unoffensive way, and particularly when you’re trying to make a point. I intended no malice, and realize that my opinion isn’t the only one.
Michael S. Robinson, Riverton
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