Letters, Apr. 17, 1978

Days of Terror

To the Editors: Your assertion in "Israel Severs the Arm" [March 27] that "as might have been expected, the Israeli response vastly exceeded the provocation" is outrageous. What would you recommend as an appropriate response to the wanton murder of innocent babies, children and adults by terrorists who brazenly claim credit and then hide behind a national boundary and prepare to strike again? The Israeli response was restrained.

Mel Waldgeir San Antonio

Menachem Begin may have "severed the arm," but in so doing he clearly gave the P.L.O. a much needed victory. The savagery of the bus attack pales when compared with the indiscriminate and "safe" slaughter of civilians launched by a supposedly "responsible" government.

Peter Barzyk Erie, Pa.

Begin might be everything from an "unrepentant" former guerrilla leader to the head of a divided Cabinet, to a man who wants peace. But one thing Begin knows for sure is that those who kill Jews in our time cannot enjoy impunity. Maybe Begin is the right person at the right time if Israel is to survive terrorism.

Reuben T. Mugerwa Berrien Springs, Mich.

The latest barbarous Israeli attacks against the civilians in southern Lebanon remind me of the true face of the aggressive, militant Israelis, whose real intent is to kill the innocent, occupy the land and expand at the expense of others.

Riad Hussein Buffalo

The massive Israeli attack launched into Lebanon may assuage the outraged emotions of the Israelis. However, the destruction of P.L.O. camps has also claimed hundreds of innocent lives. The seeds for future revenge have again been sown. Despite the severity of the invasion, Israeli borders are still not secure.

Joseph Elias Wilkes-Barre, Pa.

So what's the difference? It seems to be murder of women and children on both sides.

Tony van Renterghem Malibu, Calif.

Congratulations to President Carter for indicating that Israel does not completely determine policy for the U.S. It is time that our Government paid some attention to the needs and interests of its own people.

Gordon M. Jones Evanston, Ill.

TIME, in describing the Administration's Middle East arms package as coupling "15 ultrasophisticated F-15 fighter-bombers to Israel with the delivery of four times that number of F-15s to Saudi Arabia," failed to mention that the U.S. has already sold Israel 25 F-15 aircraft beyond the 15 in the package and that the current proposal also includes 75 F-16 advanced fighters for Israel.

The point is that Israel's military superiority, particularly in the air, is well established. The existing basic military balance in the region will not be affected by the Administration's current package. This Administration, like its predecessors, is determined that Israel will have the necessary arms to defend itself.

Lucy Wilson Benson Under Secretary of State for Security Assistance, Science and Technology Washington, D.C.

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