The Vulnerable Opposition

Jim Wallis compares the Israeli settlement policy in the West Bank and Gaza to the practice of apartheid in South Africa ("Against Impossible Odds," September-October 2001). But one of the most vulnerable aspects of the opposition to Israeli policy is the Jewish opposition within Israel, as evidenced by the arrest of Rabbi Arik Ascherman. Moderate Israelis need to receive stronger attention and support by the press outside of Israel. It has been said that Israel is democratic for Jews but not for Arabs; at the present time, the democratic rights of moderate and left-wing Jews within Israel are also at risk.

Eugene Martin
Seattle, Washington