Attack Disproportionate To Hamas Offenses
The Capital Times, January 7, 2009
Dear Editor:
Although I cannot countenance Hamas’ stupid, reckless and criminal actions during recent months, the current Israeli campaign has only exacerbated an already disastrous situation in Gaza.
Why, indeed, are certain Palestinian militants launching rocket attacks against Israel? Might it have something to do with the fact that Israeli policy has transformed Gaza into the world’s largest open-air prison? Even now, in the wake of IDF (Israeli Defense Forces) actions having caused more than 500 fatalities, the Israeli government won’t seriously entertain the idea of renewing the cease-fire. A cease-fire, by the way, that Israel already violated as early as Nov. 4.
President-elect Barack Obama’s reaction seems to be putting the entire onus on Gazans. I would like to know what Obama would do if someone proposed to starve his daughters in the name of “security.”
No amount of rationalization on the part of the Israeli government will change the distressing fact that Israel is waging a campaign of death and destruction vastly disproportionate to the offenses committed by militants in Gaza. Negotiation is needed immediately, not more death and destruction!
Dan A. Goldstein
Madison
