ARAB PRESS

I was surprised to see reader Jonathan Surasky’s letter (“Sabbath reading,” September 8) regarding your weekly feature “Voices from the Arab Press.”

I find it entertaining to read about the jealousy, self- delusion, lies and wishful thinking being fed to the Arab public about Israel; it really puts me in a good mood for the whole weekend. Take for example the piece “Israel’s energy sector fails to take off” ( September 8). It bases its opinion on essential discussions that took place over some years, but which have now been translated into action for the benefit of our economy, energy independence, security and standard of living.

Please don’t stop this feature. If Mr. Surasky doesn’t like it, I suggest he turn the page. LEON BENNETT Netanya

I, for one, am happy to see some bits of the Arab press every week. These views share a paranoid perspective on Israel but otherwise display some informative differences that otherwise do not enter my awareness.

I do regret that the newspapers, especially those based in London, are not identified by affiliation – national, religious, et al. These facts would be helpful to your readers. SIDNEY HANDEL Tel Aviv

I have often intended to comment about the need you seem to feel for readers to be subjected to Arab press material.

I would like to suggest that perhaps it would be enlightening to select a few tidbits from the Jewish press in Britain and/or the US so we English-speaking Israelis can find out what our fellow Jews feel about Israel. We might be surprised. LINDA STERN Safed