Division in the Mideast

I would like to congratulate Rabbi Alexander Schindler for making public his opposition to the Israeli policy of brutally beating Palestinians (Part I, Jan. 25). I would hope that every rabbi agrees with his position. The policy is so wrong practically, politically and morally that it must be denounced as sharply, as forcibly and as publicly as possible.

This policy threatens too much--the lives of Palestinians and Israelis, the existence of Israel, the fundamental values of Judaism--to be handled gingerly by some sort of private version of “quiet diplomacy.” The political life of an elected official depends upon how he or she is publicly perceived. This is as true in Israel as it is in this country. As we have seen, time and time again, with respect to Vietnam, civil rights, the recent change of government in the Philippines, the emigration of Jews from Russia, often only public demonstrations can change public policy. I hope every friend of Israel comes to understand this.

STANTON J. PRICE

Los Angeles