Support for Israel should be conditional

Concerning two letters about Israel and the humanitarian aid flotilla:

To the writer who stated the passengers attacked the IDF with knives and guns, have you bothered to watch the one hour of raw footage that was smuggled out of Israel in the underpants of one of the passenger? I am convinced it is authentic, more so than the doctored Israeli version of events. You need to inform yourself with facts instead of believing only the propaganda of the Western media. And to say “everyone is against Israel,” is laughable. More than 300 members of Congress sent a letter to President Barack Obama, after Vice President Joe Biden's trip to Israel, strongly supporting the Netenyahu government. We give several billion dollars per year to Israel in military aid. Hundreds of corporations invest there.

I agree with the letter of the retired Marine Corps colonel that aid to Israel should only be continued with conditions, those that could move the peace process forward. Halting the construction of new settlements would be a good start. Lifting the blockade of Gaza should not be suggested, it should be demanded, before any more U.S. tax dollars go to Israel. This country fought a war to stop Hitler and his genocide of the Jews. How do we allow for the genocide of Palestinians by the government of Israel?

Gail Coleman

Cedar Rapids