Opinion - Letters to the Editor   

West Asian crisis

This refers to the editorial "The international community must act" (July 21). The conflict was started by Hizbollah, which abducted two Israeli soldiers. Iran and Syria are virtually sustaining the proxy war against Israel. For peace to return to West Asia, Iran and Syria must recognise Israel, as Jordan and Egypt have done.

Vembar K. Ranganathan,
New York

Iran and Syria might have encouraged and supported Hizbollah. But it was Israel's unwarranted aggression that provoked the extremist forces in Lebanon to attack Israel and extremist forces outside it to support them.

Suvaid Yaseen,
New Delhi

It is obvious that Israel has more to its agenda than securing the release of its abducted soldiers. In the cycle of attacks and counter attacks, it is the civilians who are paying the price. Ironically, those who are causing death and destruction are the same people who bore the brunt of the Holocaust 60 years ago. Israel should realise that those who fail to learn from history are condemned to repeat it.

Syed Sultan Mohiddin,
Kadapa, A.P.

With no let-up in the military confrontation between Hizbollah and the Israeli forces, there exists every possibility of the entire West Asia plunging into a full-scale war. The exodus of scores of people from Lebanon is a pointer to the worsening situation in the region. While Israel continues to follow a policy of mindless aggression, all hopes of the emergence of a peaceful West Asia are dimmed. An independent Palestine alone can defuse the crisis in the volatile region.

M. Jeyaram,
Sholavandan, T.N.

The United Nations Security Council Resolution 1559 calling for the disbanding and disarmament of all Lebanese and non-Lebanese militias has not been compiled with.

Instead, Hizbollah augmented its firepower considerably with the help of Iran and Syria. When the international community will do nothing to disarm the stateless terror outfit, it is left to Israel to defend itself against terrorism with all the means at its disposal.

Kangayam R. Rangaswamy,
Waunakee, Wisconsin

Israeli atrocities are the main reason for disgruntled Muslim youth turning to the destructive path of terrorism. The international community must oppose the state-sponsored terrorism against Lebanon.

The killing of innocent people will be a further provocation for the youth.

A. Mohamed Aslam,
Madurai, T.N.

It is the fundamental right of every nation to defend itself against attacks on it and its citizens.

Lebanon is harbouring elements terrorising Israel and Israel is defending itself. I guess we find it difficult to identify with a nation's desperate efforts to preserve itself.

K. Devarajan,
Chennai

Constant bombarding of Lebanon has reduced it to rubble, rendering millions of its inhabitants homeless. Many lives have been lost and the wounded are in a pitiable condition. The U.S. does not think it is necessary to rein in Tel Aviv because it hopes Israel will crush Hizbollah forever.

Even if Israel succeeds in destroying Hizbollah, it cannot douse the flames of liberty that have been kindled in the hearts of Palestinians and Lebanese. Israel's victory will be temporary.

Areeb-Ul-Muneeb,
Hyderabad

Israel did not initiate the present conflict. Its retaliation may be disproportionate.

But wars have always escalated. All Israel wants is the right to exist.

R. Narasimhan,
Chennai

Israel is one country that does not fight terrorism with rhetoric or ask the international community to put pressure on its enemies. It fights terrorism on its own terms.

Peter J. Asirvatham,
Chennai

The biggest losers in the conflict are innocent civilians. Israel, which is fighting for two of its abducted soldiers, seems least worried about civilian casualties. Both Israel and Hizbollah must realise that continuing with violence will only lead to further destruction and that they are losing more than they are likely to gain.

Parul Oberoi,
Gurgaon, Haryana

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