To the Editor:

Re "The (Now Silent) Guns of January" (editorial, Jan. 21):

You got it wrong in your call for a more evenhanded United States approach to the Israelis and the Palestinians.

The problem is not that America is too pro-Israeli. In fact, as great a friend of Israel as George W. Bush was in his presidency, he was also outspoken as early as 2002 in calling for a Palestinian state.

The problem, one that goes back for decades, is Palestinian illusions, the latest being Hamas's declaration of victory as this war winds down.

The Palestinians historically wanted Israel's destruction and convinced themselves that if only they could engage in terror, get the United Nations against Israel, encourage boycotts of the Jewish state and stimulate media criticism of Israel, they'd get their wish and Israel would disappear.

These were illusions of the first order, reinforced not only by their leaders but also by the actions of many outside institutions.

It caused harm to Israel, but far more to the Palestinians themselves.

The necessary new step in American policy should be to rally nations to help rid the Palestinians of these destructive illusions, to move them to practical steps — stopping terror, ceasing the teaching of hatred of Israel, building their economy and civil society — that will convince Israelis that things have changed.

This will bring real peace and security for both peoples.