Letter: Israel’s response is reasonable

Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2002 | 9:08 a.m.

In her eagerness to find fault with the nation of Israel, letter writer Therese Rastello (Nov. 11) suggested that recent conservative Jewish visitors to Israel were unconcerned with what Ms. Rastello contends is a difficult situation for residents of the West Bank and Gaza.

I suggest to Ms. Rastello that the visitors were likely relieved to find that, despite the continuous acts of gratuitous aggression perpetrated against the nation of Israel, its citizens persist in trying to lead lives that approach some degree of normalcy.

I also suggest to Ms. Rastello that the visitors were aware that Israel has only acted in measured and appropriate response to the evil directed against it and that Israel had been a model for other nations in its use of restraint and concern when exercising its right to survive.

In criticizing the visitors, Ms. Rastello made the assertion that "none is so blind as he that will not see." I suggest that Ms. Rastello look into her mirror and therein see someone who has engaged in a deplorable act of defamation directed at Israel and who should, after reflection, make a sincere apology for her behavior.

JORDAN BODENSTEIN