To expect Israel to lay down its arms is absurd

Re “Should Israel give up its nukes?” Opinion, Dec. 9

Once again, George Bisharat has turned the facts in the Middle East on their head. Israel is surrounded by 250 million Arabs residing in 22 countries, and it has been attacked four times by its surrounding Arab neighbors and their armies. Every Arab country has spoken out publicly for the destruction of Israel, and the president of Iran just last week called for the annihilation of Israel and denied the existence of the Holocaust. Israel has extended the olive branch many times to its Arab neighbors, and in return it receives hatred and suicide bombers.

No, Mr. Bisharat, maybe it is time you teach your Arab brethren to stop beating their chests and learn to live in peace with Israel -- and then maybe Israel can dismantle its armaments.

JONATHAN GROSSMAN

Huntington Beach

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It is the height of irony that in the same Dec. 9 edition in which you report that Iran’s president, who previously called for Israel to be wiped off the map and now, at a summit of Muslim nations “convened to condemn terrorism and extremism and stressing themes of moderation and tolerance,” questions whether the Holocaust happened and calls for Israel to be put in Europe, you publish Bisharat’s call for the U.S. to pressure Israel to give up its nuclear capability. What Bisharat conveniently ignores is that Israel neither threatens nor calls for the destruction of any nation and is a tiny country surrounded by hostile, much larger countries that call for its destruction and support terrorist organizations such as Hamas, Hezbollah and Islamic Jihad, all dedicated to its destruction.

Bisharat’s suggestion is absurd, because under these circumstances Israel must never compromise on its need and ability to defend itself.

GARY M. SCHNEIDER

Los Angeles