Quotes of the Day

Israel's Way Forward
Re your story "Can Israel survive?" [Jan. 19]: I propose that the U.S. say, "Israel, we love and support you but not your unethical occupation of Palestinian territory. If you really recognize the right to the existence of a Palestinian state, prove it by getting out of the occupied territories and dismantling the remaining settlements. You might say, 'Well, we did, in Gaza — and look how that turned out!' But the moral high ground would be yours. And you would certainly have more worldwide sympathy and support as some Palestinians continue to bad-mouth your right to exist."
Larry Sarner, HAIKU, HAWAII, U.S.

If going back to pre-1967 borders will bring peace, why was that not enough for Israel's neighbors, who in 1967 sought to eradicate Israel? If there is to be peace, it will take two to tango. And right now, Hamas is not ready to dance.
Steve Fox, TEANECK, N.J., U.S.

From outside the Middle East it is very easy to dislike the Israelis for what they are doing in Gaza. One can only imagine the hatred that must be felt by the people of Gaza who have seen sons, daughters, parents and other loved ones killed or wounded by Israeli bombs. It's hard to imagine Israel winning in the long run after such a disproportionate onslaught.
Tony O'Brien, MELBOURNE

You are talking about a people who have already survived 4,000 years, and who, despite the destruction of the Holocaust, created a modern, vibrant democracy in their homeland. Israel is not going anywhere. The more important question is: When will the Palestinians, Hamas, Hizballah and Iran recognize that it is in their interest to create their own modern societies rather than continue to try to destroy Israel? Israel has long accepted the two-state solution. When will Israel's enemies?
Zvi Civins, CAULFIELD, VIC., AUSTRALIA

Can Israel win? Depends on how you define win. Some would say that every day the Jewish state continues to exist, grow and even prosper is a victory. It's sobering that both fronts where Israel most recently withdrew to the last inch of the international border — Lebanon and Gaza — are used as staging grounds for launching rockets at our civilians. If we need to fight once every few years, we'll do it.
Shuki Raz, RAMAT GAN, ISRAEL

A country's primary role is to protect its citizens. Peace can only be established after all terrorists are eradicated. Hamas must be made to surrender unconditionally. Israel must close all schools and mosques where preachers preach hatred, and encourage a new generation to live in peace. It will take at least one more generation until they realize that coexistence works.
David Rozenman, TURRAMURRA, N.S.W., AUSTRALIA

By any measure, Israel is a rogue state. It ignores U.N. resolutions, murders innocent civilians, attacks its neighbors and sponsors its own sort of terrorist group, Mossad, which has agents around the world who in the past have been involved in targeted assassinations. If Iraqi tanks entering Kuwait resulted in a quick U.S. intervention, why is it so far-fetched to chastise Israel similarly? This rogue nation even possesses nuclear weapons. Why is the world doing nothing about this? Apart from the U.S., global public opinion is firmly behind strict censure of Israel. Hopefully the new regime in Washington can march more in step with world views on this subject.
Peter East, URANGAN, QLD., AUSTRALIA

Revisiting Ariel Sharon v. TIME
In his "To Our Readers" letter, managing editor Richard Stengel asserts the honesty of the magazine in its coverage of the Middle East, saying, "People still recall the libel suit we won against Ariel Sharon in 1985" [Jan. 19]. For the sake of fairness, I would like to remind you of what occurred: a New York jury held that TIME's article was defamatory and false and that TIME had acted "negligently and carelessly" but held that Sharon, my father, had been unable to prove it was written "with actual malice or reckless disregard." The case was therefore dismissed. The case was also brought before an Israeli court, which agreed that TIME was guilty of defamation; TIME paid court costs and compensation. If such a judgment is a victory, we have different concepts of honesty.
Gilad Sharon, SHIKMIM FARMS, ISRAEL

Walling off Israel
TIME's cover story won kudos, but many objected to the cover image: Extremely poor taste: the barbed wire evokes Europe's wartime ghettos, which bear no parallel to the situation in Gaza.
Alberto Quiroz, MISSISSAUGA, CANADA

I find your cover very disturbing and insulting. It makes one wonder how slanted your coverage may be.
Andrea Bank, CROSSVILLE, TENN., U.S.

The Nazis were interested in wiping out Jews as well as homosexuals, Gypsies, the mentally challenged and other groups. I hope you can see the difference between that and Gaza.
Joshua Mahler, NEW YORK CITY