Same old shtetl mentality

After reading “IDF reveals new details about attack tunnel built by Islamic Jihad” (January 19), I feel compelled to respond to the defeatist outlook.

I learned that the Hamas tunnel was at a depth of 26 meters. It was detected and destroyed inside Israel, but the part under the Gaza Strip is open and guarded by Hamas gunmen.

To obstruct Hamas tunnels, a very expensive underground wall is being built. Now I’ve learned that the IDF expects Hamas to turn to other methods of attack if the tunnel effort is defeated. Following this, it is explained how terrible the humanitarian situation is in Gaza. (I nearly cried and was looking for a Gaza charity to support.)

Nowhere is there any mention of an aggressive Israeli action to thwart our adversaries in Gaza. I would hope that our leaders (I use the word loosely) have a plan to prevent Hamas from attacking Israel instead of merely being sure that when it starts using a new tactic, we will find a way to counter it. How about Israel being proactive and not just defensive?

Elsewhere, we read of the same negative approach that permeates our discussions about Palestinian Authority stipends for terrorists or their families. Any other government faced with such enemies would put them out of business.

Shame on us. The founding fathers thought that by abandoning Yiddish, they would change the shtetl mentality. They were wrong. PHILIP BRIEFF Jerusalem