Letter of the Day: No victors

<p><b>No victors</b></p><p>EDITOR: The leaders of Hamas and Israel have both declared victory in this most recent bombing of one another. Victory for whom? Are the people of both countries who were killed and their families victors?</p><p>Is Hamas a victor when it preaches the destruction of Israel? Is Israel a victor when it enforces draconian apartheid-like blockades of Gaza and the West Bank?</p><p>Does Hamas' dictatorial rule of Gaza equate to victory? Does Israel claim victory based on its illegal occupation of Palestinian land for more than 45 years?</p><p>Has Hamas' militant standoff with the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank and subsequent lack of negotiation with Israel proved a victory?</p><p>Does Israel's continuing illegal settlement expansion in East Jerusalem and the West Bank territory equal victory? </p><p>America is complicit in this ongoing tragedy. In fear of losing the Jewish vote, our politicians have turned a blind eye to Israel's occupation and its methods of enforcing that occupation. In past years, our demands that Arab nations recognize Israel have been tempered and weak in our fear of losing an oil supply.</p><p>You reap what you sow. There are no victors here.</p><p>JACOB W. BOUDEWIJN</p><p>Santa Rosa</p>