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George Will - Weeping for the death of common sense

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'Unconditional support' for Israel questioned

Many one-sided pieces regarding the current Gaza/Israel conflict have graced these editorial pages in the past weeks, and I wanted to interject some thoughts that don't come out much in the U.S. press which give reason to question the seemingly unconditional support given to Israel by so many.

First, I want to say that I in no way condone violence, no matter who is perpetrating it; I support neither the rockets being launched by Hamas nor Israel's military violence made in the name of retaliation.

In the U.S., Israel is portrayed in politics and the press as a peace-seeking democracy, and many cite Israel's unilateral withdrawal from Gaza in 2005 as a good-faith act toward peace in the region. However, this was done without consultation of Palestinians, and many agree this simply has allowed Israel to focus its efforts on the occupation of the West Bank, where Palestinians continue to suffer daily (something I experienced firsthand this past spring when I was there).

In fact, while Israel has not had anyone stationed in Gaza since the 2005 withdrawal, they have continued to control its borders, sea coast and air space. In recent years they have created a blockade around Gaza that completely restricts or extremely limits the movement of much needed food, medical supplies, fuel, and electricity. A recent statement from the Vatican went as far as to compare Gaza to a "concentration camp." Israel continues to ignore international law in the Fourth Geneva Convention, which requires an occupying power to provide for the welfare of the civilians it occupies (which should be applied to Gaza and certainly to the West Bank).

Most Palestinians did not choose to live in Gaza but are refugees, driven from their homes by the Israeli army at the creation of Israel in 1948. These Palestinians have never been compensated for their previous lands and homes, similar to the way Native Americans were treated in respect to the lands of this country.

Also, while Hamas is considered a terrorist entity by the U.S. and others, it is also a political party that won Palestinian Legislative Council elections in January 2006. The legality of this election is not in question. This was in large part a response to the corruption in the Palestinian government previously, not a sign that the people as a whole seek the elimination of Israel, even though this is stated in the Hamas party charters. Israel, the U.S., and many others continue to ignore Hamas' right to rule based on these legitimate democratic elections.

Finally, much has been made about Israel's "right to defend itself," including recent resolutions passed in Congress stating just that. However, no one cares to describe the oppressive circumstances Israel has continued to place upon Gaza (and the West Bank). So while I do not agree with Hamas' violent resistance tactics nor Israel's retaliation, I ask: Should not Hamas have the same "right to defend itself" from an oppressive situation imposed by Israel, a right that so many give to Israel itself?

Eric Bjorlin

Wauseon

Thank God for Christmas

Happy birthday to Jesus. Thank God for Christmas -- Christ is born -- and for Sunday School teachers, parents, grandparents and all friends of children for having birthday parties for Jesus.

Even my aunt in Florida said the children at her home on Christmas Day had to wait to open presents until after they sang happy birthday to Jesus. One of the young mothers at our get-together said with a smile that we had a lot of parties for Jesus. I know Jesus was smiling.

Thank you for the radio stations who played Christmas music for a whole month and for the beautiful nativity display at Triangle Park in Defiance.

Meredith Molnar

Defiance