The violence in Gaza

Re “Silence the guns,” editorial, Jan. 11

If Israel has a right to defend itself, then so does Gaza.

Israel says that its people have “suffered,” huddling in terror from the rockets. Now Gaza’s people are suffering, huddling in terror from rockets and worse.

Israel believes that it can kill its way to peace. Hamas believes that it can kill its way to power.

Ehud Barak’s standing in the eyes of the Israeli people has jumped as he has given orders for more bloodshed. Israel took advantage of the last 20 days of the power vacuum in America.

But Israel has miscalculated. This time the American people are no longer cowed and misled by the Bush administration.

This time, we have lived through our own cycle of violence in Iraq, and we re-live it on the streets of Gaza.

Constance McKee

Woodside, Calif.

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Please tell us where the softened Palestinian sentiments were when Israel observed a six-month cease-fire ... even as Hamas was breaking its word and raining down rockets on Israeli civilians? Why was it Hamas that was visibly becoming more powerful during all those months of Israeli restraint?

I have no sympathy for the majority of Palestinians who voted for Hamas. I do have sympathy for the minority of Palestinians who rejected Hamas, and for all children everywhere, who are always innocent.

John LaBriola

Sun City, Calif.

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Israel has said many times that it would enter into a permanent cease-fire with Hamas as long as Hamas pledges to permanently stop rocket activity into Israel and with verified means to prevent the importation of more rockets. But even today, Hamas’ leadership refuses to make such a pledge. Apparently, Hamas wishes to continue the fight until the last human shield.

Jeffrey Rabin

Los Angeles

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Too often we are lulled into a sense of “this is how things should be” when it comes to affairs outside our borders. All human life is sacred, no matter what side you are on, and the silence from our shores about the sanctity of human life -- no matter the race, religion or creed -- is immoral. Thank you for your clarion call in this vacuum of indifference. Hopefully it will inspire more to speak out for the voiceless Gazans.

M. Rahmi Mowjood

Rancho Cucamonga

The writer is a board member of the Muslim Public Affairs Council.