MB Civic

To the Editor:

Re “Israel’s Two-Front Battle” (editorial, July 13):

Israel has been forced into a war by Iran’s proxies in Gaza and Lebanon.

Lebanon is a recognized state, and as such is responsible for control of its territory.

Israel has acted appropriately in responding to the killing of eight soldiers by the Lebanese group Hezbollah, the kidnapping of two others, and the heavy bombardment of Israeli towns.

In Gaza, the situation, while more complex, presents similar issues.

The Palestinian government has been shelling Israeli towns like Sderot, and connived at smuggling arms and most recently at the kidnapping of a soldier, as well as the murder of an Israeli teenage hitchhiker last month.

Faced with opponents who openly call for the destruction of Israel and the murder of its citizens, Israel must take all necessary steps to protect itself. Measured words like prudence and proportionality no longer apply, with survival at stake.

William A. Gerber

Jerusalem, July 13, 2006

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To the Editor:

The extremely soft attitude toward Israel’s behavior in Gaza or Lebanon is beyond understanding.

Kidnapping of Israeli soldiers happens at the culmination of failed military policies by Israel.

Lebanon and Palestine have been subjected to Israeli occupation, incursions, targeted killings and large-scale displacement of civilians.

Scores of Lebanese and Palestinians are held in conditions that dwarf in magnitude the inextricable ethical problems faced by our country at Guantánamo Bay.

The deceptive withdrawal of Israel from Gaza, while all accesses remain under Israeli control, is a dangerous noose tightening on an already impoverished population. Deprived of water and electricity, Gaza possibly faces impending wide epidemics.

Israel holds all the cards to a peaceful resolution of the Arab-Israeli conflict. Military solutions, targeted killings, abuse of human rights and denial of territorial sovereignty have proved counterproductive over the last years. Paul M. Hassoun

Baltimore, July 13, 2006

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To the Editor:

As the security of its citizens comes under attack on two fronts and Israel’s response appears to have escalated, you caution that “Israel best serves its long-term security interests by acting wisely and proportionately” (editorial, July 13).

But what response can be said to be wise and proportionate when Hamas and Hezbollah have sworn to eliminate Israel, and neither the present Hamas-led Palestinian government, its predecessor led by Mahmoud Abbas, nor the Lebanese government in which Hezbollah participates have taken steps to stop the reign of terror on Israel?

Israel’s responses to these attacks are not limited to freeing its kidnapped soldiers, and should not be.

Israel must also do everything it can to deter further rocket attacks and other terrorist incidents until the Palestinian and Lebanese governments begin to exercise their obligation to prevent this aggression on Israel.

Regrettably, although Palestinian and Lebanese civilians are killed and wounded when Israel responds, it is the Hamas and Hezbollah terrorists (and their Iranian and Syrian sponsors) who choose to wage their campaign of terror in the midst of civilian populations and who place them in harm’s way who are ultimately responsible for the destruction that follows. Jay N. Feldman

Port Washington, N.Y.

July 13, 2006

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To the Editor:

While you are right in describing the justification for the Israeli actions on two fronts, I disagree with your suggestion that Israel focus on the objective of releasing its kidnapped soldiers.

The objective as we Israelis, living both at home and abroad, see it is to end the continuing barrage of missiles launched by Hamas and Hezbollah against Israel on both fronts.

While you are right to urge that Israel refrain from endangering innocent civilians, which it continuously does, the enemy has no such moral compunction.

Perhaps it would be more productive to allow Israeli leaders, both civilian and military, to decide how best to fight the battle against an enemy they understand all too well.

Peter Yurowitz

Highland Park, N.J., July 13, 2006

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To the Editor:

Israel’s bombings of Gaza and Lebanon are an irrational and disproportionate reaction to the capture of three Israeli soldiers and the killing of three others.

So far, more than 50 Palestinians in Gaza and nearly as many Lebanese have been killed, hundreds have been wounded, and the bombing of critical infrastructure will surely kill far more.

This incredibly disproportionate use of force demonstrates a macabre equation where each Israeli life appears to be worth the lives of dozens of innocent Palestinians and Lebanese.

By threatening to “turn back the clock in Lebanon by 20 years,” Israel appears willing to punish millions of Lebanese for the actions of a few militants.

The time has come to end United States support for the oppressive, out-of-control government of Israel.

Eric Ettlinger

Berkeley, Calif., July 13, 2006

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To the Editor:

It is way past time for our government to call an end to Israel’s incursions into Palestinian territories and now Lebanon.

Israel is using the capture of three soldiers to wage war on the Palestinians and their democratically elected government.

The world is standing by while Israel inflicts collective punishment on the Palestinians. They are without electricity and other necessities. How is this acceptable?

Israel has killed numerous civilians, including children. As you reported, Israel’s operations in Gaza killed at least 22 Palestinians on Wednesday alone.

Are the lives of Israelis worth so much more than the lives of Palestinians that the kidnapping of three is worse than the murder of 22?

It is obvious to the world that the United States does not really believe in democracy or justice. Otherwise, we would not let this continue.

Stephanie Tourk

San Antonio, July 13, 2006

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To the Editor:

Re “Once Again, Gazans Are Displaced by Israeli Occupiers” (news article, July 12):

Once again, the suffering of the Palestinians gets press. One wonders when the Palestinians will take responsibility for their own problems.

After five years of pointless violence, the Israelis elected a moderate prime minister, and the Palestinians elected Hamas. Hamas did what it promised to do — continue the violence — and Israel is responding.

Perhaps it’s time our sympathy was redirected to those who don’t cause their own problems.

Jonathan D. Reich

Lakeland, Fla., July 12, 2006