To the Editor:

Austen Ivereigh's religious convictions may have colored his perception of the current reality faced by Israelis and Palestinians, and the impact that reality has on Bethlehem ("Bethlehem's Wall," 9/1). Ivereigh asserts that the separation barrier is intended to consolidate Israeli settlements and to confiscate Christian land. In fact, it is well known that Israel built the fence as a necessary security measure to protect its citizens—a responsibility every country shoulders.

The fence does cause hardships for Palestinians. But Israel is a democracy, and has attempted to address those hardships. Likewise, in response to petitions objecting to the placement of the fence in certain areas, the Israeli Supreme Court has ordered the fence to be altered to ameliorate the difficulties placed on Palestinians.