Israel's rationale

 

How dare Post-Gazette Associate Editor Dan Simpson state that Israel's effort to stop Hamas rockets is primarily to stop "the insult they represent and how they reflect on the ability of Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's government"("Losing Ground," Jan. 14 column).

If Mr. Simpson's neighborhood in Pittsburgh had been on the receiving end of hundreds of rocket attacks, perhaps Mr. Simpson would think differently about Israel's rationale for this operation. Even if only a few garages and streets were damaged and there were only a few deaths, I would think Mr. Simpson would want to defend not only his neighborhood and family, but his ability to live his life. Over the last eight years, more than 10,000 rockets have been fired into Southern Israel.

To be a balanced "newsman," perhaps Mr. Simpson should not only travel through Egypt to speak with people, but also to Israel to visit with the civilian residents of Sederot, Ashkelon and Ashdod.

DANIEL SHAPIRA
Chair, United Jewish Federation
Oakland