Letters to the Editor.

• Position: Letter to the Editor

The New Holy War

It is hard for me to understand that someone like Irena Klepfisz who lost her family in Auschwitz and knows all about the Holocaust can advocate causing another holocaust to our people ("Israel Is Not David. It's Goliath," by Matthew Rothschild, July issue). Does anyone in their right mind believe that the Arabs will let Israel live no matter what we give them? Can anyone in their right mind believe that Arafat can bring peace to the region?

What we have done for the Arabs since the Six Day War is an example to the whole world of how humans should be treated. When we went into the West Bank, there was no running water, no electricity, no good roads, no good medical facilities. Our doctors take care of Arab patients, and they kill the doctors who treat them.

Wake up before it is too late. Hitler included every Jew in the Holocaust. He did not differentiate between those who denied their Jewishness and those who upheld it. No matter where we are, if we don't have an Israel to run to at the time of need, we will be destined to the same lot as the Jews of Europe. Let us not forget that we have only ourselves to rely on when push comes to shove. You will not be able to save yourselves because you advocated a false peace!

Joy Katzin Jerusalem, Israel If one views the occupation of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip with a strictly political/humanistic eye, yes, the occupation is unconscionable. But there is a problem with the article. The author does not even take into consideration the religious aspect of the situation. Israel, unlike other countries that find themselves dealing with occupational issues, was founded as a homeland for the people of a specific religion. Judaism is unique in that it is both a religion and a nation. But it is a religion foremost. Keep in mind that you can't join the nation until you accept the religion, even though some already in the nation don't care about their religion. And herein lies the problem.

The occupation of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip is not just for military purposes. "Secular" (I hate that word, "disrespectful" is better) Jews don't want to deal with it, but there's no getting away from the fact that Judaism is based on the Torah. And the Torah specifically and emphatically states that the land of Israel is ours. The people already there were just squatters.

I know what you're thinking--another Bible-waver is at it. But that's not the case. I don't have a beard and a black hat. I'm...