Peace Prospects Between Israel and Arabs

Israel securing missiles (editorial, “Why Israel Needs Those Missiles,” March 10) should move its hawks to gamble for peace as the awesome destructive power of war is a mutual deterrent to war. Add to it the rapid changing world of alliances, and the cooperative mode between the superpowers, there could be a period of peaceful living together that may transcend the present tension and conflicts.

While such a decision rests with the Israeli citizens and its elected government officials, American Jews need to join in the diplomatic, behind the scene, maneuvering going on because Israel does rely on the American Jewish community financially and politically to meet its needs. The promise of a demographic change with the influx of Soviet Jews adds to Israel’s strength to foster peace, too.

Reality also needs to temper ultra-nationalism not only in the Middle East, but throughout the world. It has grabbed people within the Soviet orbit and elsewhere, causing universalism to retreat. Yet, it is the latter that is the commitment that has to be made by nationalists if any lasting peace is to be achieved.

HYMAN H. HAVES

Pacific Palisades