Botched mission

Regarding “Botched Gaza mission leads to massive escalation” (November 13), to err is human, to forgive is divine. And yet, your screaming headline, strongly suggesting ineptitude and gross negligence, leaves no room for forgiveness.

Until the Lord returns to us the urim v’tumim, that divine oracle advising generals when and where to commence wars, mistakes in battle will be inevitable.

The army will apply the appropriate investigation to determine what in this mission ran afoul. But the brave soldiers and their commanders who were sent on this dangerous operation will live the rest of their lives with the memory of this disaster. The implication that it was “botched” can only add to their pain. FRED GOTTLIEB, M.D.

Jerusalem

Shame on The Jerusalem Post for suggesting that the Gaza operation was illplanned or executed, thus tarnishing the memory of the gallant officer who died for his country. By all accounts, it had been carefully prepared but ran into an exceptional piece of bad luck. MICHELLE MAZEL

Jerusalem

The unfortunate mission that played out in a most violent outburst of hundreds of rockets proves that it is not possible to leave festering on our border a terrorist organization whose sole purpose is to destroy the Jewish state.

No matter how many understandings are reached internally or initiated by well-meaning outside interlocutors to elicit calm, the fact remains that these violent incidents will continue unabated.

We must either therefore accept the status quo or take the bold and rightful decision to fully protect the nation – especially those citizens living close to the border who suffer most when any incursion is carried out.

It is incumbent on our leaders to show that this war by stealth will no longer be tolerated, that our borders are sacrosanct, and those that preach violence and hatred must in turn suffer the consequences and be accountable to their people for their actions. STEPHEN VISHNICK

Tel Aviv