Please produce the proof

Submitted by John Hubers (United States), Aug 23, 2006 at 00:42

Dear Mr. Pipes,

Many questions have been raised about the veracity of Walid Shoebat's claims not only regarding his childhood in Bethlehem but his claim to have been a "PLO Terrorist" - the story upon which he builds his case to be a credible "convert" from terrorism. There are many things that don't add up in his story which people who have lived as I have lived for many years in the Middle East find difficult to believe.

You claim that he came to your office with "proof" that his claims are true yet you made no effort to produce this proof for those of us who do, in fact, doubt some of what he says. Could you please make this proof public.

As for the point that Mr. Shoebat makes that he hides his identity to protect himself from those who would do him harm, well, this may be the most incredulous part of this story as his picture is all over the web. Palestinian society is a "who you know" society where everyone knows everyone else's business. He can't hide his identity any more than the Pope could hide his Catholicity. So please don't say that the "proof" he has offered needs to be protected. As they say: "Show me the money!"

John Hubers

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