Hamas must change

Re "2 local leaders express views on Gaza crisis" (Page A1, Dec. 31): I was heartened by Imam Mohamed Abdul Azeez's comment that he disagrees with Hamas' charter, which clearly states its goal to destroy the state of Israel.

Since Israel withdrew from Gaza there hasn't been a day when Israeli civilians have not been attacked by rockets launched by Hamas. The terrorists place their caches of weapons, missiles, rockets and launchers in mosques, hospitals, schools, apartment buildings and homes, even ambulances. Is this not unconscionable? Why is the world not condemning Hamas? Whatever collateral damage results during legitimate operations for Israel's self-defense is portrayed by the media as "disproportionate" force. What alternative does Israel have?

I pray that new leadership ascends to represent the interests of peace-loving Palestinians who wish to live side by side with a peaceful Israel and that both peoples can aspire to live by the words of Isaiah and beat their swords into plowshares and never know war anymore. But for this dream to happen, Hamas needs to recognize Israel's right to exist.

– Rabbi Reuven Taff, Sacramento

Palestinian rights ignored

I went to the West Bank years ago as part of a Christian student group, as admiring of Israel as anyone. Then I experienced a small bit of life as Palestinians must do every day and was shocked to the point of heartbreak. If you haven't been there, your perspective is limited. Palestinians are seen as less than human, and as such certainly not deserving of human rights. They are given fewer water rights, building rights and job, education and travel opportunities. Nearly every aspect of their lives is completely controlled. Many still live in squalid refugee camps. The constant message is: "You are less worthy than a Jew." What would you do in their place?

Israel does not want a fair peace, they simply want all the Palestinians to disappear. Go away. Die if they must, just be gone. Until Americans wake up to this and start demanding that our government stop subsidizing Israel's occupation, there is little hope for change. The slow strangulation of a people will continue. What hypocrites we are, hand in hand with the shamefully racist Israel.

– Janet Alexander, Loomis

Support Israel, denounce Hamas

The media has no problem showing Palestinian children wounded by Israeli bombs, but they neglect to inform readers and viewers of such images that Hamas has intentionally been firing rockets into Israel from school yards, mosques and hiding in crowded neighborhoods.

It's strange that Hamas has no money to feed the Palestinian population, to build schools or to implement health care, but it has money to buy rockets and bombs to fire into Israel. There is something fundamentally wrong with the model Hamas lives by, and the world can only ignore this for so long. We must support Israel and the peace process. We must denounce Hamas' unprovoked assault on southern Israel weeks ago that started this latest round of conflict.

– David Abramowitz, Rocklin

Where is Israel's damage?

For the eight years Hamas has been shooting rockets at Israel, killing and hurting civilians, yet I've seen very few photographs of bombed Israel in your paper. All through this past week I kept looking, yet, almost every issue portrays pictures of only one side in this conflict: poor Gaza residents. I look forward to seeing a more balanced report of the situation.

– Noam Taylor, Sacramento

Spread the word

Re "A right to live in peace" (Letters, Jan. 2): The letter writer, a "proud American Muslim" age 10, says that his Imam teaches that everyone, regardless of religion, has the "right to live in peace." I would encourage his Imam to convey that message to other Muslims around the globe. It would be far more meaningful and effective if this message found a general acceptance among other Muslims.

– Robert Mogull, Elk Grove

Ready for a strong mayor