Dear Premier Carr,

I was appalled to hear of the controversy surrounding the selection of Dr. Hanan Mikhail Ashrawi as the 2003 recipient of the Sydney Peace Prize. The campaign to revoke this choice is nothing short of a disgrace and reflects poorly on the integrity of Sydney's business and political communities.

I have visited the West Bank and witnessed first hand, the brutality of Israel's illegal occupation of Palestinian lands. Any attempt by the Palestinians to resist this oppression (which is now in its 37th year) is labeled "terrorism." On the other hand, Israel's willful destruction of Palestinian homes and infrastructure is looked upon as "self-defense."

Judaism and Zionism are not synonymous. Many Jewish people oppose the occupation and wish to live in peace with their Palestinian sisters and brothers. By caving into Zionist pressures, the Sydney Peace Foundation is only contributing to the conflict in the Middle East. Thank you for your consideration.

Karen M. Donahue
Michigan
USA