Cycles of Violence in the Middle East

Re “A Criticized Sharon Defends F-16 Raids,” May 21: In six years there have been four Israeli prime ministers. Yitzhak Rabin was assassinated because of his peace proposals. Benjamin Netanyahu had his own idea about how to solve the Palestinian conflict and had his own set of agreements while expanding settlements. Then Ehud Barak came with still another peace idea. Now there is Ariel Sharon and his belligerence. I do not think that the Palestinians can live forever and dance to the tune of constantly changing Israeli policies.

Robert Pisapia

Westlake Village

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Re “Arabs Call for End to Israel Contacts,” May 20: Israel’s use of F-16s to retaliate for the recent suicide bombing is being condemned by the Arab leadership as a dangerous escalation of the violence in the region. The truth is that the entire responsibility for this escalation can be laid at their own doorstep. Their agenda is, and always will be, not peaceful coexistence but the destruction of the Jewish state.

For any who doubt this, ask yourself what would happen if for 90 days all Arab terrorist attacks were halted. Would Israel stop sending planes and helicopter gunships toward Palestinian targets? Now ask yourself what would happen if Israel stopped retaliating for these terrorist attacks for 90 days. Would they stop? Ask Yasser Arafat.

John Terlesky

Calabasas

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Re “Waiting for a Miracle . . . or a Catastrophe,” Opinion, May 20: David Grossman’s assertion about the “mutual slaughter” between Israelis and Palestinians, along with Israelis getting used to “their injured and dead,” has my empathy. Unfortunately, his alligator tears just don’t wash with reality. There are many more Palestinians killed and injured than Israelis. By continuously dehumanizing Palestinian suffering, the chasm between the two sides will only widen.

The actions of suicide bombers are as unacceptable as they are unpredictable, but looking at what leads to such actions might prevent future attacks. Instead of playing the role of victim and hiding their heads in the sand, Israelis might feel better working for a lasting peace through justice, not through rubber-coated bullets, helicopter gunships or fighter planes.

Tarik M. Trad

Glendale

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Re “Hundreds of Marchers Protest Aid to Israel, Urge End to Violence,” May 20: Instead of shouting here for the killings in Palestine to end, the protesters in front of the Federal Building should tell their relatives in Gaza and the West Bank to stop throwing rocks, and it will end.

Al Yablon

Oxnard

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How can the U.S. morally justify giving a billion dollars in aid to Israel each year to help it keep taunting the Palestinians by continuing to build settlements on occupied land? And how can Israel have the gall to expect the Palestinians to stop fighting for their land? It appears that the term “holocaust” now refers to Israel’s treatment of the Palestinians.

Earle McNeil

San Clemente