Open your eyes to more than 1 viewpoint

I was distressed by columnist Susan Estrich's June 4 article. She defends Israel's blockade of Gaza at the cost of nine activists, not Israeli, lives. She's sorry because that was “not part of the plan” and “it exposed Israel to condemnation it doesn't need and has strained relationships that are important to both its security and its economy.” And it's all the fault of Hamas (and obviously not Israel's fault).

It frightens me that she only can see that view but when I came to the end of the article where she says: “Imagine a flotilla of aid vessels heading toward Iraq and Afghanistan to aid the children of the Taliban and al-Qaida. Would we welcome them with open arms? We would not.” How dare she speak for us.

There may be more opinions than hers but she can't hear them. How can peace ever appear in the Middle East or in the world if we make war on children by depriving them of medicine and food?

I'm tired of one-sided opinions and would like to hear some thoughtful discussion of issues that concern us as the world becomes smaller and we must learn to exist in peace or not exist at all.

Kate Hawkins

Cedar Rapids