Letters to the Editor - Houston Chronicle
Monday, December 1, 2008

Assessing Mumbai attacks

The outlines of the terrorist attacks in Mumbai, India, are becoming clear. What was missing from the Chronicle's editorial on Saturday, "Mumbai, maimed," was the depth of the terrorists' real target. The terrorists targeted India, the U.S. and Britain, and the Jewish people.

The attack on the Nariman House is a grim reminder that Jews, Israelis and Jewish institutions around the world continue to be targets of Islamic terror groups. The use of firearms and the taking of hostages signal a change in tactics from previous Islamic terrorist attacks, which have mostly consisted of vehicle bombs, suicide bombers and other improvised explosive devices. What is significant here is the fact that Jewish institutions and individuals are being targeted by international terrorists globally.

We mourn this unspeakable tragedy — a deadly attack directed against Jews in India's pluralistic society that has always welcomed the Jewish people.

We express our grief over all who have been made victims of this terrorist rampage. We are both deeply saddened and utterly appalled by yet another vicious attack apparently by radical Islamist terrorists upon democracies and upon innocent civilians. In addition to grieving for all the civilians who have been killed, we honor the memories of the brave souls of the Indian security forces who have lost their lives fighting the terrorists.

We have long-standing relationships with the government and people of India and the Indian-American community, through our office in Mumbai and our network of offices across the United States. We stand in solidarity with the government and people of India and the Indian-American community at this time of tragedy.

At this dark hour, we reaffirm our determination to continue our work to combat hatred and intolerance throughout the world.

TRACY STEIN
President, American Jewish Committee, Houston Chapter