Letter-Writers Thrash Qaddafi

1. "Letters: Qaddafi's Solution: A State of Isratine'"; A26
2. "A Palestinian Rival Says It Is Under Attack by Hamas in Gaza"; By Sabrina Tavernise; A5
3. "Hamas to Start Paying Gaza Residents Compensation and Reconstruction Aid"; By Isabel Kershner; A8

The only redeeming aspect of NYT’s decision to print Qaddafi’s “cosmically absurd” editorial is the ensuing slew of letters thrashing his ideas the following day.

In addition to the letter of our very own Shamsham, several other letters made some excellent points.

Hillel Buechler presents a rebuttal to the “one state solution.” Such a state, he argues would constitute “instant politicide for the Israeli government.”

One letter-writer, Rosemary Wolfe, publicly shames NYT for publishing Qaddafi, who is responsible for the murder of her stepdaughter on Pan Am flight 103.

Carol Shoshkes Reiss provides the most innovative idea of the Letters section today, recommending a three-state solution, wherein Gaza and Judea & Samaria, or the West Bank, are two separate states a la the arrangement in South Asia between Pakistan, India, and Bangladesh. Historical precedent is on Reiss’ side here, as it is not on that of those who advocate one state – the wrongheadedness of which the examples of the former Yugoslavia and Lebanon attest to.

Separately, the aftermath of the Gaza war is all about who won - Hamas or Israel. 

Sabrina Tavernise reports on Hamas' efforts to maintain control over Gaza, an indication that the group was weakened by Israel's incursion. "Members of Fatah contend that Hamas has begun harassing Fatah supporters to reassert its authority in Gaza." writes Tavernise. According to Fatah members, "Hamas might feel somewhat weakened by the Israeli offensive." NYT is generally resistant to giving voice to this view. 

A second indication that Hamas is trying to retain control of Gaza is that it has offered to pay for the damages to homes sustained by the Israeli offensive. After all, in order to maintain the loyalty of the people, Hamas has to provide for them. Isabel Kershner discusses the matter of reconstruction in "Hamas to Start Paying..."

The title misleads, however, as much of the reporting is about Israel's desire to stop weapons-smuggling from Egypt into Gaza. Israel recommends "more technical assistance on the Egyptian side, heavier policing in the Egyptian Sinai and international action to stop shipments of weapons en route to Egypt by sea."

Kershner subtly tries to undermine the Israeli decision to keep the border-crossings closed, suggesting that "European and international pressure is mounting" to open them. She does not, however, substantiate this claim. 

Referring to the opening of the border-crossing as a "Hamas demand" is an underhanded way of legitimizing the group. 

On a promising closing note, Olmert and Barak are calling for the release of Gilad Shalit in a prisoner exchange with Hamas.