🚀 go-pugleaf

In article <22127@venera.isi.edu>, arens@ISI.EDU (Dr. Yigal Arens) writes...

Dr. Yigal Arens writes:

>Excuse me, Ms. Rivkis, but does the US OFFICIALLY SANCTION torture as an
>investigative technique?  That alone would appear to place Israel in a
>different category.

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Dr. Arens seems to agree [from the context of the posting as well 
as the "officially sanction"] that the US engages - presumably 
when necessary [We are not talking about sadists, I presume.  One
can never tell with Dr. Arens and Israel; perhaps he means to say
that Israel has more sadists than other countries?  But Dr. Arens
is usually able to state what he wants for himself.] - in covert 
torture.  Yes, that the US engages in covert torture.

His complaint is then that, unlike the covert torture of the US,
Israel is open about its use of torture.  Is this an accusation
of culpability?  Should Israel be covert?  Or is this an 
accusation of cupidity?  Should Israel not try to "seem" honest
about what it does?

As a matter of fact, an Israeli high court decision allowed the
use of "reasonable force" in interrogation of security prisoners.
I think one would have to go a long way to convert "reasonable
force" into torture.


Perhaps Israel is singular.  I am one of those who would like
Israel to be singular.  Most of my countrymen prefer that 
Israel be like any other country.

Dr. Arens agrees with me in the singularity of Israel; but he
sees Israel as singularly evil, singularly guilty and singularly
responsible.  Not a charitable view, but certainly a singular
one.  For someone born there.


__Bob Werman    rwerman@hujivms.bitnet    rwerman@vms.huji.ac.il
Jerusalem