Trading Land for Peace

I am grateful to The Times for airing the views of Ruth Rosen and Menachem Z. Rosensaft (Commentary, July 23), two voices from the oft-maligned “loyal opposition” within the American Zionist community. To criticize Israel is not to be disloyal, self-hating or ignorant of the dangers Israelis face daily. Rather, it is to acknowledge that “Israel--right or wrong” is an insufficient rallying cry for American Zionists now that the possibility for peace in the Mideast seems so close, yet so far. As a democracy, Israel requires and deserves far more from its supporters than a cheering squad offering rubber-stamp approval of every Israeli policy and action.

RACHEL PERSE

Los Angeles