Mideast Peace

* Re “Mideast Talks Never Had a Chance,” editorial, Jan. 30: Yasser Arafat’s goal, return of the so-called refugees, is a code for Israel’s demise. He’ll never waver from attempting to attain this result. Until the so-called democracies understand this, the terrorist attacks will continue, no matter who leads Israel. Arafat takes hope from the United Nations and its one-sided anti-Israel resolutions. If the shortsighted U.N. policies continue, the Middle East will explode and the U.N. with it.

ALBERT G. SILVERTON

Upland

* Your statement that “Palestinians have been encouraged to believe that the maximum demands advanced by their leaders remain achievable” is grossly inaccurate. U.N. Resolution 181, partitioning Palestine into Jewish and Palestinian entities, awarded 46% of its area to the Palestinians. Today the Palestinians demand only the 22% comprising the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. In other words, the Palestinians have conceded 78% of what they believe to be their historic land. This 22% is the minimum, not the maximum, that any Palestinian can settle for. It is achievable once the Israelis give up the notion that might makes right.

SALAH EZZ

Cairo

* Amos Oz serves your readers well by being one of the first and most prominent members of Israel’s left wing to acknowledge that it is Palestinian “rejectionism,” not Israeli obduracy, that constitutes the insurmountable obstacle to peace (“The Case for Barak as Israel’s Premier Has Never Been Clearer,” Commentary, Jan. 28). Yet soon after making this brave admission, he slips back into familiar left-wing rhetoric--championing the failed Oslo peace process as Israel’s only legitimate alternative and refusing or being unable to recognize the strategic predicament in which its flawed structure has left Israel. Palestinian “rejectionism” was only hardened by the weakness it perceived in Barak’s concessions.

Contrary to left-wing dogma, peace will come not when Israel dismantles settlements, undertakes a unilateral withdrawal or even agrees to share Jerusalem. It will come when Arafat makes a strategic decision to forswear terror and adopt the statesmanlike role of educating his people toward an acceptance of Israel’s right to exist. Until this occurs, Israelis require nothing other than a strong leader who refuses to bow to Palestinian provocation and remains committed to the security of all Israelis. If the past 20 months are any guide, Ehud Barak is not that man.

AVI DAVIS

Westwood