THE JUNE 29 op-ed “Walking miles in Palestinian feet’’ by Claire Messud was excellent. As a peace activist who has been to Israel, the occupied West Bank, Gaza Strip, and East Jerusalem eight times, I cannot stress enough the importance of experiencing Palestinian life under Israeli rule.

Americans are largely ignorant of facts on the ground - from petty things, such as the refusal of the Israeli government to pick up trash in Palestinian neighborhoods inside Israel, to nightmarish policies, such as the demolition of Palestinian homes, seizure of Palestinian land, and killing of Palestinian civilians.

Few things inform better than firsthand experience. There are many fine organizations that help Americans be eyewitnesses to Israeli policy and its cruel impact on Palestinians. I pray that more Americans, such as Messud, will go and see for themselves how US tax dollars are being misused to crush the Palestinians.

Scott Schaeffer-Duffy

Worcester

The writer is a member of the Saint Francis and Therese Catholic Worker community.

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