Letter: Israel has no choice but to right wrongs

Tuesday, July 10, 2001 | 9:01 a.m.

In regard to Brian Greenspun's column about Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, I want to say Israel must exact revenge for the bombing of the Israeli disco and the 20 lives that were taken away from mothers and fathers and other family members across Israel.

This is the only way to get justice in the Middle East, and they need to let the hooligans across the region know if you play with Israel, you will pay a heavy price. Period.

Sharon, I believe, is playing out his cards to be able to say that he no longer had any choice for a revenge that will be brutal, and officially start another unwanted Middle East war. The other countries know there will be a price to pay, but what can they do? Arafat has no control over anyone.

As far as the U.S. government's current stance, President Bush and Secretary of State Colin Powell are completely out of hand telling Israel how to take care of its own territory. If we had this happen in New York or Los Angeles, you can bet we would punish the perpetrator.

Let's applaud Israel for having the guts to do what needs to be done. And let's hope that some of these Middle Eastern governments don't push Israel so far that thay become nuclear-wasted parking lots.

EVAN LIPTON