Letter to The Washington Post

From: mberenhaus@comcast.net
To: letters@washpost.com
CC: ombudsman@washpost.com
Subject: Glossing over pertinent details of a story
Date: Friday, June 20, 2008 10:56:56 AM


Dear Editor/Ombudsman,

The Washington Post states that "Israel responded with a siege" after Hamas took power a year ago. ("As Israel Siege Strangles Gaza Strip, Hamas, Smugglers Profit off Tunnels", June 18, 2008). It wasn't the fact that Hamas took power that caused the siege but what came with it: thousands of mortars and rockets collectively punishing and terrorizing Israeli citizens.

Bear in mind, Israel went as far as ethnically cleansing its own people from the Gaza Strip in 2005 in the hope of peace. The only thing that it has gotten in return is a dramatic increase in Arab terrorist attacks, including rockets and infiltrations, into Israel. Ironically the world condemns Israel, not Hamas, when it responds, glossing over what Hamas has done. This Washington Post article contributed to that glossing over.

Michael Berenhaus