The Michigan Peace Team purports to be in the defense of human rights and nonviolence. However, a closer examination of the group's objectives reveals a distorted viewpoint that impinges on its ability to generate peace.

From his statements, Michael Vicente Perez seems to believe that the violence inherent in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict arises predominately from the Israeli side ("Caught in the middle," SN 3/31). His statements indicate that he believes peace can be achieved by staying in the homes of suicide bombers to prevent the houses from being destroyed by the Israeli defense forces.

While it is undeniable that the Palestinians have faced enormous hardships as a result of the conflict, it is also true that the Israelis have faced similar atrocities. Where is the Michigan Peace Team when children (whom they claim to protect) are manipulated into turning their bodies into bombs to murder Israelis? Where is the Peace Team when Israeli schoolchildren are blown up on Jerusalem buses as they ride to school?

Maybe the Peace Team should ride Israeli civilian buses to deter Palestinian militants from blowing them up. Of course, this would not succeed as groups such as Hamas and Hezbollah are encouraged rather than deterred by heightened civilian casualties.

In contrast, the Peace Team seems to believe that the Israeli defense forces can be deterred by the presence of civilians, which sheds light on where the real violence lies. Rather than trying to maximize civilian carnage, Israel often goes to lengths to prevent harm from befalling the innocent.

Just last week the Israeli defense forces disarmed Hosni Abdo without injuring him. Abdo is a 16-year-old suicide bomber who was motivated by his elders to give his life to murder others. Peace is doomed as long as organizations such as the Peace Team insist on making excuses for the terrorists.

Daniel Grimm
international relations senior