Former academic embarrasses himself but is too ignorant even to recognize it.

John Kelly, chair person of Friends of Bethlehem University, writes in the Irish Times that Israel's fence hurts Palestinians in Bethlehem. Not willing to simply indicate his empathy for Palestinians, he claims, "It is impossible, for me at any rate, not to compare this situation with the Nazi's Warsaw Ghetto and second World War checkpoints."

Perhaps Mr. Kelly should remind us how many thousands of innocent German civilians the Jews murdered in suicide bombings before the Nazis put them in the Warsaw ghetto. He complains about the Israeli treatment of Palestinians at various checkpoints. "For no reason, they often have to take off their shoes, have their laptop computers confiscated, undergo strip searches and be made wait hours, with no explanation, being sneered at."

Really, Mr. Kelly, for no reason the Israelis set up check points and search Palestinians. Are you truly so ignorant of events that you can't imagine a single reason for such searches? How many Israelis have Palestinian fanatics murdered over the decades? And you whine about some Palestinians' being inconvenienced.

Mr. Kelly also comments, "Strangely, for us non-Arabs, these checkpoint guards are generally quite affable and send you on your way with 'have a nice day' American-style." Is it really so strange, Mr. Kelly? The Israeli military are good people and would treat Arabs equally affably had the Palestinians not murdered so many Israelis. If non-Arabs start suicide bombing, they will undoubtedly soon receive different treatment.

I have to admit to a rather personal interest in this. My oldest daughter may take an intensive course in Hebrew in Israel next summer. I am very thankful that Israel has been successful in reducing bombing incidents. The fence undoubtedly contributed greatly to that success. If I had any question about the need for the fence (which I did not), I would no longer.

If Mr. Kelly really wants to help Palestinians, he should encourage them to end their terrorism against Israel and to invest in business and education rather than bombs and rockets.