Terrorists Released, Aid to Israel

Terrorism should be condemned by all means everywhere. When an operation against international terrorism is successful, everyone is satisfied; however, when it fails, the criticism works overtime. Therefore, “Bunglers Take Israel Backward” (editorial, Oct. 7) blames Israel for the failed Mossad operation against the Hamas terrorist in Jordan.

The editorial does not blame Jordan’s King Hussein for hosting terrorists in his own backyard, nor does it condemn militant Hamas terrorists for breaking the peace process and the legitimate rights of human beings to live peacefully in Israel. The editorial looks at this “fiasco” operation as a potential threat on the Israel-Jordan relationship. The “winner” is Hamas and the “loser” is Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, according to the editorial.

The public should blame King Hussein for hosting terrorists in his lands and not preventing them from operations against Israel. The Mossad is responsible for preventing further terrorism against innocent people. Israel is responsible for its Mossad people, and therefore has to pay a very high price for the unfortunately failed operation: Release of Hamas terrorists whose hands are covered with blood of innocent men, women and children.

MICHAEL SHECHTER

Los Angeles

“Supporting Israel, Right or Wrong,” by Steven Spiegel (Commentary, Oct. 5) makes some good points but still falls short of the mark. Netanyahu and his right-wing fanatics will not advance the peace process unless the U.S. government quits worrying over possible domestic reaction and threatens to cut off aid to Israel unless it stops building provocative and possibly illegal new settlements, which incidentally are paid for indirectly by American taxpayers.

It is also time for the U.S. Jewish community to admonish the current Israeli government, and stop or threaten to stop sending large private donations unless Netanyahu and his gang cooperate with U.S. government peace objectives.

FRED NEWMAN

Marina del Rey