SCHUMER DEFENDS CHECKPOINTS

Israeli Checkpoints - Sen. Charles E. Schumer
To the Editor of the New York Times: One sentence in your Dec. 18 editorial "Timely Help for the Palestinians" betrays the subtle and inherent bias against Israel that pervades too much of Western thought. When supporting the removal of Israeli checkpoints in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, you write, "While those checkpoints have undoubtedly reduced the number of attacks by suicide bombers, they have made it virtually impossible for average Palestinians to move freely, whether going to the polls or simply trying to go to work." Doesn't it make sense that Palestinians should be required to eliminate the suicide bombers in their midst before Israel is forced to open checkpoints? What other nation would be asked to put the ability of its adversaries to move freely over the need to protect the lives of its people? (New York Times)