The Issue: The week-long attacks and counterattacks between Israel and the Palestinians in Gaza.
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President Obama claimed he was fully supportive of Israel’s right to defend itself against Palestinian attacks (“Hillary Clinton Sent To Attempt To Bring End to Gaza Conflict,” Nov. 20).
There’s a thin line between defending oneself and aggression, between revenge and excessive force. Often Israel goes overboard in defending itself, inflicting far more damage on its opponents than was inflicted on itself.
As long as the United States sides with Israel at the expense of Arab and Islamic countries, there will never be peace in the Middle East.
Kenneth Zimmerman
Huntington Beach, Calif.
Could Hamas have been firing those missiles at Israel to both deplete Israel’s defenses and also test the Israeli response?
Since Hamas couldn’t possibly benefit from a conflict with Israel, on whose behalf are they acting?
It would seem Hamas is doing Iran’s bidding. I suspect Iran is closer to a nuclear weapon than we think.
The Iranians likely have gathered valuable intelligence at the expense of the people of Gaza. The ruling elites in Iran only care about destroying Israel. Once again, the Palestinian people are being used as cannon fodder in a protracted conflict.
Unfortunately, peace will only come to the Middle East when the Palestinians refuse to be used as such, or the enablers are dealt with.
Al Paparesta
Brookfield, Conn.
Israel gave the Palestinians Gaza with the intention that they would make it a land of peace and prosperity. Instead, it’s a land of terrorists and a weapons dump.
Instead of just saying Israel has a right to defend itself, which is a given, Obama should have stood strong and told the Palestinians to cease and desist.
JR Cummings
Manhattan
The US, Great Britain and Russia all requested that Israel use “restraint.”
I have a simple question for each: If there was a Mexican equivalent of Hamas firing missiles into the US, would our reaction be restraint? If there was a group firing missiles into London, would England restrain herself?
If the Chechen Republic was firing rockets at the Kremlin, would President Vladimir Putin follow that advice?
The answers are all self-evident.
All of the countries would uproot the terrorists firing the rockets.
Would any of these countries be asking each other to restrain themselves?William Langfan
Palm Beach, Fla.
Palestinians want a prosperous nation. Israel wants permanent peace.
Non-government-sponsored businesses make profit from peace and free trade, regardless of the ideology of their owners.
The owners will therefore tend to vote for peace and free trade, which will increase profit for their businesses.
Israeli and Palestinian business owners and leaders should vote first, based on number of employees and tax revenue.
Pass this vote to the people in the general elections, pointing out that these are the experts on creating jobs and prosperity. This will lead to national prosperity and a permanent peace.Ed Wachtel
Manhattan
America sends $1.7 billion a year to Egypt to help them do what?
We send millions of dollars to the Palestinians — to do what?
Bravo to Obama for supporting Israel’s right to defend itself. But if he’s serious about cutting the national debt, I think we both know where he could begin.
Rob Spieler
Peekskill