Submitted Sun, 14 Jul 2002

Letter to the Editor:

The Oregonian’s July 10 article “Israeli police seal Palestinian’s office”
reported that armed Israeli police shut down the Al-Quds University office
of Sari Nusseibeh, a leading moderate and senior Palestinian representative
in Jerusalem, accusing him of “political activity” in the city.

Dr. Nusseibeh is one of the most recognized voices of moderation and peace
among Palestinians. His unequivocal opposition to violence led him to
sponsor a full-page ad condemning suicide bombings. Nusseibeh’s efforts
for understanding and compromise prompted him to publicly call on his
people to give up on the right of Palestinian refugees to return to their
land. When his offices were being raided, Dr. Nusseibeh was in Greece
attending a peace conference in the company of Ami Ayalon, the former head
of Israel’s Shin Bet internal security service.

Sharon and Bush demand “more moderate” Palestinian leaders but this is how
one is being treated.

John Grosvenor