Weeding out the terrorists

EDITOR’S NOTE: Helen Ruth Arnold was a retired teacher and long-time contributor to the Gazette’s Open Forum columns, even after she moved into a Trenton nursing home. After her death on June 17, 2023, at the age of 91, we received 16 letters from her. We will publish them as time and space allow in honor of her memory.

Dear Editor,

There are times when I find myself looking at people and their migrations on the face of the earth as being like the ingredients of a tossed salad.

In 1948, 1 1/4 million Jews immigrated to Israel. About 600,000 Jews lived in Israel after World War II. They were part of a Zionist movement founded by Theodor Herzl, an Austrian Jew. He wanted to create a state for the persecuted Jews of Europe.

Between 2013-2015, people seeking asylum from Afghanistan, Syria and Iraq has more than quadrupled.

Presidential candidate Donald Trump has said that since we don't know which ones of the refugees are Islamic terrorists, that we should refuse to accept them here in America.

According to a study made by Pew Research on Aug. 2, 206, the European Union processed more than double its previous annual request of 700 people after the fall of the Berlin Wall.

Eurostat, Europe's equivalent to the U.S. Census, gathered date from 28 countries, included in the European Union as well as Norway and Switzerland. Half the refugees came from Syria, Afghanistan and Iraq.

What is surprising is the number of people leaving Kosovo, Albania and Ukraine, who were seeking protection in other European countries.

The countries where most of the refugees traveled in 2015 were Germany, Hungary and Sweden.

Germany has processed the most asylum seekers. They have accepted 442,000 refugees since 2012. It has been the most vocal about welcoming these displaced individuals.

Number-wise, Hungary has accepted the most refugees.

According to Pew Research Center, Syria accounts for the greatest number of refugees (378,000 since 2013). Afghanistan's refugees totaled 193,000 and Iraq's refugees total 127,000.

They seem to have various motivations for escape. One thing seems to be an important ingredient for their desire to relocate. It is seeking a better life.

Obviously, only a few are terrorists. However, in the U.S., we are skeptical because we don't know which ones pose the threats.

Helen Ruth

Arnold,

Trenton, Neb.