Yitzhak Rabin

* I agree wholeheartedly with Abba Eban’s comments on the Israeli-Palestinian agreement signed in Cairo (Commentary, May 4). I would add, however, that while enlightened self-interest may explain the parties’ willingness to negotiate, the tenacity demonstrated in the bloody months following the Washington handshake is a tribute to courage and vision--particularly as regards Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin.

I remember how tense and uncomfortable Rabin appeared at the Washington ceremony. Here was a man who had devoted his life to serving the state of Israel, as statesman and soldier. Rabin stood at the podium and admitted how painful it was for him to be there. He acknowledged his many countrymen and women who had perished over the years. Nonetheless, despite his personal pain, he had the courage and vision to imagine a peaceful and prosperous future for Israelis and Palestinians.

EVELYN BARAN

Los Angeles

* Reacting to the signing of agreements between Israel and the PLO in Washington and Cairo, I found PLO leader Yasser Arafat in military garb on both occasions disconcerting. We don’t need this symbol of aggression. To accomplish the inevitable peace that both peoples need, we need more constructive symbols. The best will be scenes and stories of people living and working together, albeit each in one’s their own environment, but together in spirit, trust and harmony.

As there are many chauvinistic spirits at work to thwart this noble end, American Arabs and Jews have to encourage and support those political forces that can make peace possible.

HYMAN H. HAVES

Pacific Palisades