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Opinion
 

Letters to the Editor

Column placed blame incorrectly

To the editor:

While Sousan Hammad's experiences at the Rafah crossing and those experiences of other Palestinians mentioned in her column "Restrictions at Rafah brutal, unjust" (Thursday, Opinion) are horrid stories, I must disagree with her.

The Rafah Crossing Point is not controlled by Israel in any manner. It is a United Nations-mandated border crossing controlled by Egyptians on one side and Palestinians on the other. To ensure that the crossing is not closed by Israel, it is monitored by European Union observers. 

Any such problems with the crossing should be directed towards the Egyptian government, Palestinian government failings and the United Nations. 

Kris Clancy,
political science junior

‘Restrictions at Rafah brutal, unjust' -- for a reason

To the editor:

I was utterly shocked at Sousan Hammad's column "Restrictions at Rafah brutal, unjust" (Thursday, Opinion).

I agree with Hammad that the current situation in Gaza is very unfortunate. The only problem is that Hammad seems to think that Gazans need to control the border for better "access to adequate health care or medicine." 

Hammad also stated that "The complex process that Gazans have to face just to leave the Gaza Strip is malicious and a humanitarian disaster." 

One of the reasons for such a strict crossing is that ever since Israel handed over Gaza to the Palestinians, there has been an increase in terrorist attacks toward Israel coming directly from Gaza. Only when rockets and terrorists coming from Gaza stop attacking Israel will the Rafah crossing be handed over to the Gazans. 

Israel's desire to save innocent lives will have to impose on Hammad's Rafah crossing. Having to wait a few weeks for a permit is worth avoiding another terrorist attack. 

Leon Trakhtenberg,
business junior

Letters to the editor are welcome from all members of the UH community and should focus on issues, not personalities. Letters must be typed and must include the author's name, telephone number and affiliation with the University. Anonymous letters will not be published. Letters are subject to editing for clarity, language and space. Letters may be delivered in person to Room 151C, Communication; e-mailed to dclettrs@mail.uh.edu ; or faxed to (713) 743-5384.