U.S.-Israel Relations

Kudos to The Times for finally having the courage to even suggest that the U.S.-Israel strategic partnership may have the appearance of a one-way street (“It’s a Two-Way Street, Israel,” editorial, April 11). The U.S. has for too many years engaged in a delicate dance with Israel in which U.S. interests are stepped on and Israel responds to legitimate extradition requests, among other things, with a hearty slap on the face. It angers me that we continue to send billions of dollars to a nation that refuses to play nice in the world sandbox.

ALAN M. STRASBURG

West Hollywood

*

What hypocrisy for Washington to make such dictates to Israel on the excuse that it would “upset the military balance” in Asia. For years Washington has had no problems with upsetting the military balance in the Mideast by selling massive arms to Israel’s Arab enemies because we wanted Arab oil money. What Washington has done is trigger a massive arms race in the Mideast that puts Israel in mortal danger, both as to its ability to survive against attack and in its ability to survive in an arms race with Arab treasuries swollen with oil profits.

Given Washington’s recent history with sales to China, it is not unlikely that the real agenda is to scare off Israel to allow President Clinton’s favored manufacturers to get the business.

LEON PERLSWEIG

Calabasas