U.S. abets Mideast strife

Christopher Benedict was unfairly criticized by letter-writers Abel, Treece and Starr (Dec. 30). They stand aggression on its head, insisting that Israel is merely defending its borders and citizens. Undeniably, Israel has been the aggressor since the 1930s-’40s. Yet, like Gaza today, Palestinians still resist the expansionist settler-state.

Look to the Pentagon for answers. Israel Defense Forces wouldn’t be blowing Gazans to smithereens without Pentagon approval. Israel: the big nuclear-armed cop on the Middle East block. But for billions of dollars supplied by our U.S. Treasury and U.S. religious organizations annually, the Israeli government would make peace with its neighbors.

Jewish friends sometimes refrain from any criticism of the state of Israel, but I wonder how faithfulness to one’s religious beliefs includes unquestioned loyalty to Israeli military and political leadership. While Gazans are dying in disproportionate numbers now, isn’t it morally responsible, lawful and timely for Congress to slash all taxpayer-supported funding for the IDF immediately?

Modern Israel was created by imperialist schemes, at first British, now the U.S. What would Israelis dream of without U.S. meddling, advanced weaponry and endless money, living without fear of Palestinian residents and Arab neighbors?

Chuck Armsbury

Colville