To the Editor:

Re: "Colla's arguments on Iraq War reveal anti−Israel bias," Feb. 28:

Unfortunately, Israeli calls for the ethnic cleansing of Palestinians, euphemistically termed "transfer," are becoming more acceptable in the mainstream, going beyond Rabbi Kahane's Kach party or Ze'evi's Molodet.

Currently, there are three parties that explicitly call for the "transfer" of the Palestinian population: Israel Beitenu, Tkuma and Molodet. Israeli revisionist historian Ilan Pappe says "the discourse of transfer and expulsion which had been employed by the extreme right, is now the bon ton of the center." Around 100 Israeli academics recently wrote a letter warning that talk of "transfer" is increasing within Israel's mainstream political discourse.

Ethnic cleansing of the Palestinian population has also gained in popularity in the United States. House majority leader Dick Armey said on MSNBC last May that he is content to have Israel grab the entire West Bank, simply believing that "the Palestinians should leave."

If progressives have an anti−Israel bias it is for good reason. Zionism, liberal Zionism included, is discriminatory by definition, and is used as a tool of colonialism and imperialism. It is, therefore, incompatible with progressive politics.

Sarah McDermott '01.5 March 1