The ball is in the Palestinian court now

Re “Israel leaves but Gaza is hardly free,” Opinion, Aug. 21

The Times gives a lot of space to the Palestinian spokesman Saree Makdisi. He mentions “Palestinian aspirations” but does not tell us what those aspirations are. The Gaza disengagement gives them many choices. More than 1 million inhabitants can aspire to set up a peaceful ministate or continue to wish for the destruction of Israel. They can aspire to build factories, hospitals and roads with the billions in aid that they will receive or continue to fire rockets into Israel. They can aspire to set up a democratic government or continue to cheer the black-hooded Hamas terrorists.

Choosing peaceful coexistence will surely open the borders. The world is watching. Will the Palestinians choose Gaza to be the world’s greatest success story, or, as Makdisi says, “the world’s largest prison”? It’s in their hands.

MARTIN J. WEISMAN

Westlake Village

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If Israel’s removal of its citizens from Gaza would lead to a real, ultimate peace with its Arab neighbors, it would be worthwhile. But what we see is Hamas, Islamic Jihad and the Fatah faction of the Palestinian Authority all claiming that their terrorism worked: Israelis, they boast, are running from Gaza; tomorrow they will run from Jerusalem and then Tel Aviv. Soon a possible Hamas-controlled Gaza will have its own seaport that can import even more frightening terror weapons from Iran, Syria and North Korea. This does not bode well for peace.

SCOTT ABRAMSON

San Mateo

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Uncle Sam gave billions of dollars to Israel, which built the settlements on illegally occupied Palestinian land. Now Uncle Sam is again giving billions to tear them down and bring settlers back to Israel. And this is not the end. Wait for the West Bank and Jerusalem. Will Israel ever grow up and live without Uncle Sam’s help (i.e. our taxpayers dollars)?

MIKE MLIKOTIN

Los Angeles