Shut down the arms flow

Nadyne Paget (Letters, Jan. 8) tells us that Israel needs “protection,” mostly it seems from Iranian-sponsored terrorists. “Neighborhoods of innocent Israelis are being deliberately attacked with rockets, as many as a dozen times per day.”

The big culprit is, however, Iran. I totally agree. Iran indeed supports the fanatical Hamas, and Hezbollah. These attacks would not, and could not, occur without the little bombs and other arms smuggled into Gaza.

It is the pot calling the kettle black. Just as Iran supports the Palestinians, and radical groups, we support Israel with far more sophisticated weapons of war. Bush and company announced recently a plan to give Israel $30 billion in direct military aid over the next three years. U.N. sources estimate Iran’s military aid at less than 10 percent of that figure over just the past two years. That figure is reputed to be the entire budget of Iranian military aid to all entities including al-Qaida. (Iran supplies weapons to several Middle Eastern countries as well.)

Today’s paper gives the sad counts since this latest violence began: 689 dead Palestinians. Just 10 Israelis. Who needs “protection”? Both sides, from the bloody arms merchants, on both sides.

Walter Lane

Spokane