To the Editor:

At a time when even critics of Israel understand the difficult situation Israel finds itself in because of the unwarranted aggression of Hamas and Hezbollah, your reflexive habit of blaming Israel is even more unworthy than usual ("A new Middle East disaster in the making," July 14).

Israel has survived and prospered as a country for decades in a hostile environment because it has created deterrence through strength against neighbours that seek its destruction. Now Hezbollah and Hamas, backed by Iran, state their aims openly. The launching of missiles into Israel proper after Israel had unilaterally withdrawn from Gaza and Lebanon is serious in itself, but more so portends an escalation into even greater threats to Israel (more sophisticated weapons, including even weapons of mass destruction) unless Israel deals with it now.

Focusing your criticism on Israel in such circumstances undoubtedly demonstrates a bias on your part. More significantly, it is a manifestation of a dangerous short-sightedness. If Hezbollah and Hamas were to be allowed to continue in their aggressive behaviour, it would undoubtedly embolden Islamic extremist groups throughout the region and increase the terrorist threat against the west.