Larry's Letters: "The Israel We Knew Is Gone," Thomas Friedman, Nov. 4, N.Y. Times

Letters to the Editor
New York Times

Dear Editor,

Thomas Friedman is correct, Israel has changed. But the change is not part of a worldwide trend to right wing authoritarianism, it is the reaction to the current intifada that the Palestinian Authority has inflicted on Israel, not to free their people from Israel's 'occupation' , but to convince the Palestinians  that they, not Hamas are the true defenders of Jerusalem. Yes it's that dysfunctional. The competition between the two Palestinian factions resulting in a constant state of war is what persuaded Israelis to vote in a hard line government.

Sincerely yours,

Larry Shapiro