Terrorism in Israel

Re “Can Israel Act Contrary to Natural Instinct?” Commentary, March 4:

David Grossman is a sane voice in the wilderness of screams shouting for vengeance and more shedding of blood. Prime Minister Shimon Peres’ reaction to “crush” the Hamas is understandable, though possibly unrealistic. Israel cannot “crush” the Hamas, same as it could not “crush” the PLO. Hopefully, Peres will not commit the same error as the previous Israeli government in not talking to the PLO and arresting those who did.

Strong pressure should be applied on President Hafez Assad of Syria to disassociate himself from the terrorists. Not because of his love for Israel, but because his common sense--and advisors--may tell him that only a peaceful situation will benefit him in coming to an agreement about the Golan Heights.

Grossman recognizes the sober truth that “it is impossible to resolve a bloody 100-year-old conflict in a single year.” Israel has to defend its citizens. At the same time Israel should not surrender to “automatic and hysterical responses,” but should pursue the peace process.

HENRY BRUNELL

Chatsworth

* It is refreshing to read Grossman’s article. At last there seems an understanding that the situation in Israel is the making of both parties concerned.

Israel was born out of violence and an artificial state was created. Is it any wonder that the people whose land was taken from them are infuriated? Further humiliation was set upon those dispossessed by another state, the United States, donating an annual bequest of $3 billion to this new state so that it could artificially maintain itself.

I would suggest that the Jewish people are a subculture of the Arab peoples and that as such there seems the necessity for this greater culture to learn to know and understand their subcultures better. Until the Israelis can give up on the notion that you don’t talk to those that hate you (the terrorists), then you are bound to live in a state, begat by terror, in terror. Is it worth it? The notion that “get tough” violence can resolve this problem is both antiquated and unproductive.

JACK WADDINGTON

Inglewood

* On behalf of myself, the Islamic Center of Northridge and the Muslim community, I would like to offer condolences for the victims of the latest attacks.

Islam, as taught by the prophet and as revealed in the Koran, is against any form of violence; be it against civilians in London, or the Middle East or even in the classrooms in the heart of Los Angeles.

We believe that behind the black smoke and beyond the political rhetoric there is hope that the great values of three great religions--Judaism, Christianity and Islam--will prevail to find a peaceful solution to the ongoing problems.

AHMED EL-GABALAWY

Northridge

* Rabbi Abraham Cooper’s commentary, “No Heaven for These Martyrs” (March 5), strikes a negative chord in a much-needed discussion after the latest suicide bomb attacks in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. His column leads readers to believe that Muslims are silent in the face of terrorism against civilians either out of complacency, intimidation or, even worse, out of joy.

Muslims in America and abroad are and have been speaking loudly, declaring in no ambiguous terms, in public and in private, their denouncement of inflicting harm on noncombatants regardless of the religious background of the perpetrators or the victims. Of course the fringe issues its statements like in any other religion. The difference is that Islam is measured by the extremists while other religions are not.

Al Muslimoon, an international weekly, published a thoughtful article written by a high-caliber team of intellectuals and theologians to expose the devious logic in violence in the name of religion.

Cooper must have read the statements of American organizations, like the Islamic Center of Southern California, the Muslim Public Affairs Council, the American Muslim Council, the Council of American Islamic Relations, the Islamic Society of North America and several others stating their unequivocal stands against terrorism. The voice is there, loud and clear.

MAHER HATHOUT

Spokesman, Islamic Center

of Southern California

* Do the media perform a disservice by allowing terrorists to “claim responsibility” for their unconscionable acts? Wouldn’t a phrase like “admit guilt” be more appropriate?

RICHARD CRAWFORD