Evening star., 1949-07-23
Critic of Arabs Answered
Point by Point, Angle by Angle

To the Editor OF The Star:
The letter signed Burton Boroff In The
Star of July 20 might we'll have been written
by an Arab agent provocateur. so incoherent,
adumbrative, sophistic, casuistic and discred-
iting to the side he supports was his treat
ment of the complex Arab refugee problem.
His stand had better been left unpronounced.
but since it has been printed one has no
choice but to reply.
Firstly. it is proper to protest his super
cilious usage Of poor destitute Arabs
Surely the word poor would not have been
inserted If it were not intended to rldlcule
for otherwise the effect would have been one
of repetition or tautology. Secondly, his re-
lection of the idea that Arabs possessed no
homes is sheer nonsense. Moreover, nomadlc
life which he contends to be the almost unan-
imous mode of Arabic life has nothing to do
with the home but rather with the house
if Mr.. Borof needs further explanation. with
the physical apparatus of shelter. Obviously.
all of America was once home to the Amer
.can Indian although his exact physical
nabitation was changed Seasonally or yearly.
2resent-day Americans are noted for this
characteristic of moving frequently from one
State to another in order to enjoy more
favorable employment.
Thirdly, Mr. Boroffs statement that the
Arab is living better now under u. N. control
likewise is in error. A filled stomach Is
hardly the only requisite to healthy, normal
and satisfying life. Respect, security. tnte-
grafton within stable society, ETC.. also are
the requirements of every individual aspiring
to self-realiza tion. Needless to say the U. N
cannot buy these commodities in the null
tilateral trade markets of the world.
Fourthly. the statements concerning un-
derpopulation of neighboring Arab states can
only have meaning when they are compared
with the artificially overpopulated state of
Israeli which is not and probably never will
be self sufficient. Thus we have the juxta-
position of an abnormal norm to a sample
and a consequent absurd result. The utter
ances about an 100000 yearly payment
from Britain to Trans-Jordan and its obvi-
ous1value for amelioration of the Arab
refugee problem is not even worthy of de-
tailed comment
Filthy. Mr.. Boroff's answer to DR.. Nestor's
statement of the Arab claim of insufficient
living space for both in Palestine Is side
tracking to an irrelevant issue or else a
petitio principii, otherwise known as the fall
lacy OF begging the question. His statement
that the Israeli constitution grants equality
to all the people of Israel, including 80 900
Arabs who are technically traitors is a sham.
Obviously II equality were extended to refu-
gees as WELL he would have had no occasion
"4dISQeyei Aor Ie1utinS LIZ. NeSUoT leCCeI
which would never have been written.
Next his statements about DR.. Nestor's
claim Of a Jewish invasion of Palestine
doubtless were as poorly considered as those
under fire. Actually. the word Invasion" is
badly chosen. Probably infiltration or clan
destiIte entry of Jews into Palestine under
British control was one, form Of Arab provo
cationrand the U. MS brand Of Russian rou-
lette for Arabs actually sponsored BY veto
holder was the other. Hestilities Of war
like nature were initiated by the Arabs but
Jewish terrorism was small respect for Brit
ish and Arab peoples.
Payment of Arabs fbr their seized posses-
sions smells family reminiscent of the Gads-
den Purchase. It is certainly regrettable
that the Arabs were not allowed to haggle
over prices in the manner to which they are
accustomed. ATMA.