Letters: Sep. 6, 2004

The international court of justice in the Hague ruled that Israel's West Bank barrier violates international law. There is another side to the story, however. More than 1,000 Israelis have been killed by Palestinian terrorists in the past four years. The security fence has proved to be a deterrent. What would any enlightened society have done if time and again it had been attacked by terrorists who infiltrated its stores, pizza parlors, buses and holiday celebrations to deliberately kill women and children? Wouldn't any society want a security fence? Isn't saving innocent lives worth the inconveniences it causes? The security fence is a nonviolent way to reduce terrorism. RANDY TISCHLER Raanana, Israel

Rees caught the tempo and spirit of today's more upbeat Jerusalem, but I was disturbed by his comments on the Ethiopian Jews who work as restaurant security guards and search customers' bags and swipe patrons with metal detectors. Rees noted that most of the guards are "drawn from the underprivileged Ethiopian community [because] few others are willing to take a low-paying job that could lead to a terrible death." This is an injustice to the Ethiopian-Jewish community.

Ethiopian Jews are a very proud and modest group of people who underwent unspeakable hardships before emigrating to Israel; their families and friends suffered humiliation, rape and murder. Assimilation into Israeli society has been nearly impossible for the first generation, but those who arrived in Israel as children and, of course, those who have been born here are becoming increasingly involved in mainstream Israeli life. Still, the situation in Israel remains intolerable and unsolvable. Rees' article captured the essence of life as we live it. It isn't easy. LARRY LESTER Motza Ilit, Israel