To the editor: I respect Columbia College Professor of Worldwide Relations Web page Fortna’s recognition that understanding the causes of terrorism is just not the identical as condoning or condemning the acts.
Nevertheless, I want extra consultants would acknowledge the despotism that defines the US and Western European position within the Center East.
For greater than a century, these international locations have radicalized folks into militants; armed all conflicts (typically on each side); and went to struggle for entry to pure assets. Our colonies and mandates had been constructed on encouraging ethnic division.
Anybody who accepts our navy support is, from the angle of these unnoticed of America’s barter system, poisoning their very own trigger.
It isn’t merely Israelis versus Palestinians in Gaza, or terrorists versus rightful heirs. It’s Western imperialist want and greed towards the self-determination of a whole area.
Matthew Neel, Sherman Oaks
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To the editor: In attempting to observe the battle in Israel and the Gaza Strip, I’ve been lower than happy that the overwhelming variety of articles and opinion items in regards to the struggle have all too typically used phrases and phrases like “resistance to occupation” or “terrorism” to create one. facet in a very good gentle and the opposite as warmongers with none saving grace.
As a proud Jewish American, I’ve all the time supported Israel as a bastion of democracy that has the suitable to defend itself. However I additionally imagine, as Fortna writes, that whereas Israel has a duty to answer the atrocities dedicated by Hamas, it doesn’t responsibly justify the indiscriminate bombing of civilians in Gaza.
Everyone knows that Hamas is a terrorist group. However I hope that Israel, which has served as a beacon of human rights in an space of ββthe world gripped by authoritarianism, adheres to the varied Geneva Conventions because it wages a justified struggle towards a bunch that doesn’t distinguish between harmless civilians and members of the Israeli Protection Forces.
Donald L. Singer, Cardiff, California.