Netanyahu and Mideast Peace

Lars-Erik Nelson sounds like he is ranting (“Netanyahu Puts Icing on His Spite,” Column Left, Jan. 22). Lots of accusations, no evidence. Just four days earlier, in Column Right (Jan. 18), Charles Krauthammer wrote an eloquent piece on why such rhetoric against Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is undeserved.

Nelson criticizes Netanyahu for visiting Jerry Falwell by suggesting that the visit was meant as a snub to President Clinton. This is mere speculation. Nelson acknowledges, “Falwell is a longtime supporter of Israel.” Why does this not top Nelson’s list of reasons for Netanyahu’s visit to Falwell? A Jewish Israel is crucial to Christian theology, so many Christians support Israel. Their support is genuine, and should not be marginalized.

I am offended by Nelson’s comparison of Netanyahu’s visit to Falwell to a visit by President Clinton to a Yasser Arafat pep rally. The comparison is a desperate attempt to criticize the prime minister. Arafat is a murderer of children, Falwell is not. Arafat has been a leader in a terrorist organization, Falwell has not.

Mr. Nelson, examine your soul. Such baseless attacks are revisionist journalism.

ALAN M. GOLDBERG

Sherman Oaks

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Krauthammer’s misguided column ignores several facts, the most important of which was that Israel under Yitzhak Rabin was inching toward a possible settlement when a fanatic assassinated him. Netanyahu’s government was voted in, I believe, by a scant 1%, which hardly is a mandate. He has also flouted the wishes of the U.S. hand that feeds Israel, violated the Oslo accords and elevated the Lebanon butcher, Ariel Sharon, to his Cabinet. Need I say more?

FRED NEWMAN

Marina del Rey