Jerusalem

Bernard Krause says in his June 29 letter regarding the accessibility of Jerusalem to all religions, “Only during Israeli control has the city been open to all the major religions.” This statement may very well be true and apply to the tourists who visit Jerusalem. However, some of the indigenous Palestinians, who have owned their homes in Jerusalem and now are not permitted to reside there, are not allowed to go and worship. Some are able to visit after going through numerous transactions of obtaining ID cards that may work on certain days and not on others.

What is the reason? At times the Israeli government is not obligated to give a reason. And if officials do give a reason, chances are it will be under the big umbrella of “security reasons.” By the same token, the Israeli government does not have to justify demolishing Palestinian houses.

LULU EMERY

Woodland Hills