Finger-pointing in the Mideast

Re “Israeli Incursion Strains Truce With Hezbollah,” Aug. 20

It is highly disingenuous to say that the Israeli raid on Hezbollah’s illegal weapons trafficking is what strained the cease-fire. Iran and Syria continue to provide munitions to Hezbollah, which is illegal under the U.N. Security Council resolution. Further, it was this arms trafficking that allowed Hezbollah to start the war in the first place.

It is by now clear that neither the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon nor the Lebanese army has a mandate or any inclination to disarm Hezbollah, a jihadist terrorist organization dedicated to destroying Israel. Israel must finish the job of disarming Hezbollah before the terrorists resume lobbing thousands of ball-bearing-filled missiles at Israel’s cities.

DAVID B. GREENBERG

Flushing, N.Y.

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The latest attacks by Israeli forces are a clear violation of the U.N. resolution to which Israel agreed to abide. I urge Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and his military advisors to meet immediately and make sure they’re all on the same page. The whole world is watching, and any breach of Israel’s agreement to have Lebanese peacekeepers as well as a U.N. force monitor the situation while structuring a meaningful peace pact is in grave danger of falling apart. There are enough folks looking to derail this truce without Israel giving them even more reasons because of its provocative moves. Israel must not sink to the terrorists’ low.

HERBERT W. STARK

Massapequa, N.Y.

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Re “Lafayette, where are you?” editorial, Aug. 20

Your editorial castigating France was typical of the silly French bashing that delights Americans. You really should be concerned with the actions of the U.S. government before criticizing anyone else. For example, how many troops is the U.S. offering to the U.N.? If I recall correctly, that would be zero. How much did the U.S. government work for peace? If I recall correctly, Bush blocked all peace efforts for almost a month. How much did the U.S. government act to stop the bloodshed? If I recall correctly, it was U.S. weapons, planes, bombs and armaments that were used to such good effect against Lebanese civilians and infrastructure. Draw your own conclusion.

You need to rethink your editorial, because France has more credibility and has done more for peace than the U.S. government.

MICHAEL JOHNSON

Santa Monica

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France, aspiring to lead the European Union and expecting to form a bloc that will counter the unilateralism of the United States, can only find 200 soldiers who will set foot in Lebanon, with others safely out at sea, out of harm’s way. Quel magnifique leadership! I feel much safer already.

GEORGE PAULIKAS

Palos Verdes Estates