PLO and Israel

Allow me to comment on two points in the interview with Palestine Liberation Organization President Yasser Arafat by Nathan Gardels, editor of New Perspectives Quarterly (“A Bantustan Is No Solution for Palestine,” Commentary, April 14) from the perspective of an orthodox rabbi.

He mentions the term “Palestinian soil.” Where is this? For us, there is only one land of Israel. We received this as an eternal inheritance--not from the League of Nations, the British or the Turks--but from God.

After five wars, the Arabs have yet to comprehend that Scuds and Migs cannot erase this everlasting covenant.

Secondly, why should Arafat feel “pressured” about convincing the Arabs in Israel not to use weapons against Jews? The truth is, which he conveniently forgets, that as long as the Arabs use stones and bottles, they can continue their intifada .

Certainly, not even the United Nations would condemn Israel for responding with lethal force against armed attackers with weapons.

The sands of the Middle East have buried more than one peace plan and foiled the hopes of more than one presidential hopeful.

New “windows of opportunity” are quickly broken and forgotten. One thing remains consistent, however: the incomprehensible failure on the part of Western leaders to recognize tyrants in sheep’s clothing.

RABBI NACHUM SHIFREN

Director

Center for Jewish Activism

Los Angeles