Don't judge by pictures

To the editor: With all due respect I take objection to Mr. Busche’s equating Israel’s right to defend itself from attack as terrorism. I also reject his conclusion that its response is an act of “punishment” against the Lebanese people. Mr Busche is quick to excuse the Lebanese government from any responsibility because they do not have “the wherewithal to do anything about Hezbollah’s military presence” I disagree; nothing stopped them from seeking help from the international community to strengthen their Southern borders with their own Army. Mr Busche should not just focus on the “pictures he sees” but think about those he doesn’t: that the vast majority of Beirut remains physically unharmed. Israel has shown great restraint in its response and has only targeted those areas that Hezbollah uses as its headquarters, arm caches and other strategic sites to stop the flow of arms from Iran and Syria. Rest assured that Israel’s response holds more importance than the freedom of two of its captured soldiers. This is about defending its borders, its people and its very existence. In regards to insuring the hostility of its Arab neighbors, I think Mr. Busche has lost sight of the history of Israel’s existence as a state. Since its very inception in 1948 all it has been met with from its “neighbors” is open hostility and war. Israel’s only logical and sane response has been to fight back for its own survival. When its Arab neighbors are ready to seek true peace and co-existence, rest assured, Israel will be waiting with open arms. Bert Hirsch Sparta