Bush’s Action on Israel Loan

Jerome M. Segal has written a distorted, confused and highly contentious article, “Bush Can Call Shamir’s Bluff” (Commentary, Sept. 10). He follows a growing chorus that seems to believe both that Israel is expendable now that the Cold War is over and that settlements on the West Bank and the Gaza Strip prevent peace.

Segal does not understand that settlements are Israel’s “SDI,” a bargaining chip to be discussed at the peace conference. Why should Israel make fundamental concessions in the absence of any major move on the part of the Arab states?

Segal believes the settlements interfered with the Camp David peace process. What nonsense. If the Palestinians had accepted the accords there would undoubtedly be a Palestinian state today. The Palestinians never miss an opportunity to miss an opportunity, and the Segals of this world keep blaming the Israel which offers those opportunities.

Segal goes one step further. He presents the preposterous notion that the U.S. should punish Soviet Jews by not granting Israel the loan guarantees and then proposes that the United States offer them a haven here. Is he kidding? The loan guarantees cost the United States nothing; indeed, American banks and builders will benefit. Immigration of a million Jews would cost the American Treasury dearly.

Israel proved once again in the Persian Gulf War how critical it is to American interests. Not only did the country suffer Scud attacks without responding in deference to U.S. efforts in the war, but Israeli military, technical and political expertise aided the American effort behind the scenes.

OSIAS G. GOREN, Chair, Center for Foreign Policy Options, Los Angeles