Presbyterians Are Sending a Vital Message

Alan M. Dershowitz’s emotional attack on the Presbyterian Church (“Presbyterians’ Shameful Boycott,” Commentary, Aug. 4) is uncalled for.

The Presbyterians understand, as do many Americans and most of the world community, that the illegal and brutal occupation of the West Bank and Gaza is not only immoral but is the underlying cause of many of the threats of terrorism plaguing our world.

Perhaps a peaceful divestment would give the message that the expansion of West Bank settlements, the building of the wall and decades of ignoring U.N. resolutions are not the best road to building a lasting peace between the Israelis and the Palestinians.

This strategy worked in bringing about a more just society in South Africa; one can only pray it will work in Israel.

Barbara Bilderback

Claremont

I hope David Newman is correct when he writes that Israel will not allow the Palestinians in Gaza to build their own airport and seaport (Commentary, Aug. 4). Yasser Arafat and his gang were blowing up airplanes long before 9/11.

The last thing the Israeli government should do is allow the Palestinian Authority the opportunity to use airplanes in their suicide terror attacks.

Peter Reitzes

Brooklyn, N.Y.