Steve Earle

To the editor,

I have to confess I am completely at a loss to understand just what Mr.Travis Haley is referring to when he wrote of atrocities committed by Israel. Does Mr. Haley seek to deny Israel the right of self defense, and if so why? Every person alive has that right, it is a universal truth. So too do nations have that right, so why does Mr. Haley deny such to Israel? Perhaps Mr. Haley is unaware of the historical nature of the conflict in that region, though I don't know how anyone could have missed six decades of violence and aggression. I really don't think a history lesson would help in this instance, but perhaps a few facts might.

Between the year 2000 and 2008 nine thousand five hundred and thirty people have been killed or injured by terrorists attacks in Israel. 8600 Kassam rockets and mortars were fired from Gaza up to 25 miles deep into Israel. Two hundred and fifty-thousand people are within range and in mortal danger from these weapons. And let me get this straight now, Mr. Haley, Israel is to blame for defending it's citizens from them?

Let's not forget the terrorists kill indiscriminately. Men, women, children, it doesn't matter one bit to them. Israel at least attempts to strike at military targets, though I doubt ideologies care to take any of these facts into account. I don't know who or what Mr. Haley is or what his intentions are but I hope he is well intentioned. Still, his assertions can't go unchallenged.

The blockade against Gaza meets all international laws and requirements for such actions. If you don't believe me look it up. Hamas is the duly elected governing body in Gaza. Elected in a democratic manor by the majority of the people who knew who and what Hamas was and is. Hamas to this day continues to seek the destruction of Israel and has the support of the people of Gaza. They continue to launch attacks against Israel therefore Israel has the right to blockade an enemy controlled territory. Look it up. Since the people elected a terrorist organization to represent them they have no just reason to complain about the consequences and call themselves victims. Nor does Mr Haley for that matter.

For six decades Israel has endured a constant stream of terrorists attacks from such organizations as The P.L.O.,Fatah, Al-Agsa Martyr's Brigade, al-Qaida, Fatah al-Islam, Hamas, Hezbollah, the Muslim Brotherhood, the Palestine Liberation Front, Palestine Islamic Jihad, and dozens of smaller groups. Every one of these groups is nearly identical to the Ku Klux Klan. I've said that before and will continue to say it and defy any one to show me where I'm wrong. The fact is there is not a nickles worth of difference between any of them. They are all religiously based, bigoted, terrorist organizations using hate and violence against any who dare oppose them. Look it up and compare. If you can justify Hamas then you can justify the Aryan Brotherhood and the KKK. Think about that for a while before you jump onto the "hate Israel bandwagon", which is growing in popularity on the left these days.

Here in the U.S., the vast majority of our people cannot and would not even give a second thought to giving credence to our home grown KKK, or Aryan Brotherhood groups yet many, especially on the left, seem confused over the nature of the above-mentioned Muslim organizations. How can that be? Is it a race or religious consideration? Could it be the impulse to root for the underdog? I sure don't know, but whatever the impulse, it seems wrong to me. These people are evil and dangerous to anyone not aligned with them. Pat them on the back, agree with them that they are not responsible for their own circumstances but do so at your own risk. They will kill you and yours just as ruthlessly and mercilessly as they do Israelis now.

Steve Earle

Hill