Lieberman’s Views on Mideast Hostilities

Re “Some Arab American Leaders Question Lieberman’s Neutrality on Middle East,” Oct. 19: The concern is that Sen. Joseph Lieberman has not just missed a chance to help his running mate in this presidential race but regretfully sent a suicide mission that tore a hole in Al Gore’s warship. Instead of paying lip service to the Middle East peace, he could have gone to Egypt with President Clinton to plead, officially or unofficially, with the two leaders “evenhandedly” for peace.

If Lieberman could truly maintain an unbiased attitude toward the conflict there as he had claimed, being an Orthodox Jew, he would have the trust of Ehud Barak and the respect of Yasser Arafat. He could have shown the American people what the Gore team could do in the White House.

PAUL CHOW

Northridge

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The Oct. 18 commentary by Hussein Ibish is nothing more than the same rubbish we hear from apologists for Arab intransigence. The Israelis want peace because they are fighting for their survival, but the Palestinians have been fighting for Israel’s extinction. I am sure that many Arabs would like to live in peace with Israel, but could Ibish guarantee that Hezbollah, Islamic Jihad, etc. would stop their call for the destruction of Israel if Israel gave back every piece of the territories they demand? I don’t think so. What these radicals want is not peace with all of Israel, but all of Israel piece by piece.

ROBERT MEDOF

Chatsworth

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The United States could solve the problems between the Palestinians and the Israelis with one phone call. Inform the Israelis that the billions of dollars and the military equipment that American taxpayers have shelled out every year since 1948 will no longer be forthcoming. You would be able to hear the brakes screeching from here.

FRANK PALMER

Camarillo