Letter to the Editor: August 1, 2014

Dear Editor,

I am writing in response to the July 16, 2014 article “Israel’s Anti-Terrorism Policies Counterproductive.” Mr. Voutsinos’ statement that Israeli Operation Protective Edge is an “eye for an eye” measure for the murder of three innocent teens by a terrorist organization is flat-out wrong and not based on factual information.

In an official statement from the Israeli Defense Forces, the July 17 commencement of the ground operation is “against terror tunnels used by Hamas in Gaza.” This offensive is in response to two years of about 150 Hamas rockets launched into Israel during a cease fire and “10 days of Hamas attacks on Israel by land, air and sea — and repeated rejections of offers to de-escalate the situation.”

Mr. Voutsinos asserts the “justification” of Hamas to “promote its agenda to the Palestinian people.” When should the activities of a group whose charter promotes the removal of another people out of pure hatred and through terrorism ever be justified? Mr. Voutsinos writes that Israel has decided to dish out a “collective form of punishment.” Israel is conducting a pinpoint operation to remove Hamas rockets being shot into Israel and Hamas terror tunnels. Hamas houses these rockets in civilian locations. Most recently, the UN discovered rockets in its own Gaza strip schools.

“If Israel had been patient and pursued only those responsible for the original crime…” This is not a blame game related to the death of three individuals. Israel is pursuing those responsible for all the crimes perpetrated against its population — and those perpetrators belong to Hamas, the terrorist organization that wishes to destroy the sovereign state of Israel.

Mr. Voutsinos should check his facts or make sure to be more accurate in the future.

Lauren Barney

Senior, Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences