To the editor: It's actually very simple: Does Israel have the right to exist as a national homeland for the Jewish people? (“Palestinians celebrate 76 years of dispossession as new catastrophe unfolds in Gaza,” May 14)
Yes. Those who argue otherwise reveal a profound ignorance of Jewish and Middle Eastern history, an ignorance so profound and willful that it does more than hint at anti-Semitism.
Therefore, Israel has the right to self-defense, and Hamas, an enemy dedicated to the total destruction of Israel, must be destroyed. Hamas can only be destroyed through military action.
Who will do this? Only Israel.
That said, the question needs to be asked: Do the Palestinians have a legitimate grievance? Yes. They had been living in Palestine for centuries when Jews began arriving in large numbers in the late 19th century.
There is ample room for acrimonious forays into history, ethics and politics, but the essential conflict is that of two peoples disputing the same land. A compromise should therefore be possible, certainly a compromise odious to both sides.
But commitment does not require good will; it simply needs application. Accusations and intransigence must be put aside. It will be necessary to overcome the obstacles of those who hold extreme positions, on both sides.
The alternative is hatred, war and endless suffering.
Alan Engelberg, Beverly Hills
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To the editor: As your Associated Press article on the Nakba points out, 700,000 Palestinians were displaced by the 1948 Arab-Israeli war; Now, their community numbers 6 million. Many continue to live in United Nations-supported refugee camps, clinging to what they perceive as their right to return to their homes, lands and villages.
I'm sure some Native Americans would like to reclaim their lost lands as well. However, it has been accepted that this is an impractical solution.
Over the past 76 years, multiple attempts to implement a two-state solution have been thwarted by the Palestinian demand for the right of return. This is synonymous with a demand for Israel's self-destruction.
The population of Israel is about 9.8 million, of which 2 million are Arabs. Consider what would happen if 6 million more Palestinians were added, many of whom militantly want to displace the Jews.
Needless to say, the only place left for the Jews would be the sea. Let's hope for a better solution.
Michael Telerant, Los Angeles
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To the editor: Dr. Mahmoud Sabha is one of the many medical heroes in the Gaza Strip who risk their lives to help the wounded and sick. (“I am an American doctor trapped in Gaza. As Israel moves into Rafah, where will the doctors and our patients go?” Opinion, May 15)
Hospitals have been destroyed by Israeli forces, with the controversial accusation that they were being used by Hamas. The health system in Gaza is practically non-existent and food shortages are causing famine.
This inhumane destruction of Gaza must stop. Yes, Hamas started this war, but the majority of those killed and suffering in Gaza are not Hamas, nor do they have a say in what Hamas does.
I spent 30 years in the US Army. When US forces in Iraq entered Fallujah and Ramadi to root out opposition fighters, they did not bomb those densely populated cities or kill several thousand Iraqis.
Yes, going from one building to another presented more risks for US forces, but it was the most humane thing to do.
Israel is destroying all of Gaza to crush Hamas. If that is not genocide, it is a crime against humanity. Destroying homes, infrastructure, schools and hospitals will not bring peace to Israel; However, it will develop more fighters.
There is no military solution. Israel must stop the war, exchange hostages and work to enable the creation of a Palestinian state. Palestinians deserve to be free and Israelis deserve to live in peace, but the continuation of the occupation will bring endless future wars.
George Mouro, Rancho Mirage
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To the editor: Dr. Sabha's efforts to provide medical care to the people of Gaza are admirable. His list of hopes at the end of the article rings true, but there was one important omission:
Tell Hamas to release the hostages.
Josh Kaplan, Beverly Hills
