Israel Presses On With Security Fence Construction

Re “Israel Says Fence Building Will Go On,” July 30: It would serve Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon well to speak with the people of Belfast about how successful security fences (the euphemism in Northern Ireland is “peace walls”) are at preventing bombings and other attacks.

Ursula Bohen

Costa Mesa

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Israel has every right to build a fence to protect its own citizens from attacks. However, for good neighborly relations, Israel should build the fence on its own territory. Confiscating thousands of acres of Palestinian land, which is badly needed to grow food for an impoverished population, is considered a crime by any standard. Such actions create more hatred and eventually more bloodshed.

John Youssef

Woodland Hills

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Re “Barrier to Peace at Israeli Border,” Commentary, July 28: It is hard to understand David Newman’s thinking on how the fence Israel is building (because Israel has no choice) will alienate the Palestinians. The fence is being built to keep out terrorists and others whose intent is to kill and maim innocent people going about their daily lives.

Hopefully, the fence will lessen or even eliminate infiltration by individuals and groups who do not want peace. Not having the fence is an open invitation to cross into Israel whenever and wherever a terrorist wants to do evil. Knowing two people who were killed in suicide bombings, and seeing the pain their families have been through, I think alienation is a small price to pay under the circumstances.

Yes, unfortunately, fences are sometimes necessary when it seems that there is no other alternative.

Sharlene Balter

Los Angeles