Who’s uninformed?

It is my contention that Daniel Miller, not Brian Jones, is not well informed about the situation in Gaza. The Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) led by Yasser Arafat did eventually and begrudgingly recognize Israel when it signed the Oslo Accords, though skepticism remains as to the sincerity of the gesture. However, Fatah, one of the parties that comprised the PLO, has never recognized Israel and this remains true (www.jpost.com/Diplomacyand-Politics/Fatah-has-never-recognized-Israel-and-will-never-do-so).

Hamas, Fatah’s partner in the Palestinian unity government, is designated as a terrorist group by among others, Canada, the United States, the U.K., the EU, Jordan and Egypt.

Hamas’ charter states that “peaceful solutions, initiatives international conferences” are in contradiction to its principles,” and that there is no solu- tion to the Palestinian question except though Jihad.

(http://avalon.law.yale.edu/20th_century/hamas.asp)

How can Israel negotiate with such a group?

Secondly, there is the issue of the more than 30 tunnels (thus far discovered) dug by Hamas across the border into Israel. Many of these tunnels have as their entry points private homes, shops and even mosques. They have been built expressly for covert entry into Israel for the sole purpose of conducting kidnappings and committing murder. Miller does not mention them at all in his letter, nor does he consider them to be a causus belli for the present fighting. Perhaps Mr. Miller and his co-supporters of Hamas need to have “tunnel vision” and get better informed.

Michael Paul, St. John’s