Israel only acts in defense of itself

At the risk of starting a debate in Fence Post, John November's letter (Jan. 11) has confirmed my opinion that there are, unfortunately, people who don't want to be bothered with facts.

He obviously did not take my suggestion and look up the time line for the Middle East. And yes, Israel may have nukes, warheads, tanks and bombs, and yes, they did use some of those weapons on Lebanese civilians.

Israel bombed Lebanon only after being pushed to the point whereby they had to do something.

Many Lebanese civilians were storing weapons for Israel's enemies and protecting those terrorists who are out to destroy Israel.

Palestinians, on the other hand, make a habit of bombing civilians for no reason whatsoever except for the fact that they live in Israel.

Furthermore, with the bombing of Lebanon, it is the very first time in the history of Israel that it was the aggressor in any attack.

Yet Mr. November insists on calling Israel a "bully." If Israel is such a bully, why has it not used nukes and warheads to destroy its enemies once and for all so that the citizens of Israel could finally live in peace?

As to the comment that the Palestinians have only "hand grenades and homemade rockets," that is not true.

They have the weapons given by the United States to aid the P.L.O. in its fight against Hamas; Egypt and Jordan supply the Palestinians with arms through Gaza; Russia has supplied Palestinians with arms; missiles are shipped from Iran through Syria into Hezbollah hands.

History is very clear on the fact that Israel did not steal any Palestinian land. And any so-called Palestinian land that Israel ever possessed was won in wars in which Israel successfully defended itself against all odds and then Israel gave most of that land back in the hopes for peace.

Judith A. Carlson

Des Plaines