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What the Palestinians need today is what the children of Israel needed some 3,000 years ago: time and a great leader. After gaining their freedom from their Egyptian oppressors, the children of Israel spent 40 years building their character as a people and wandering in the desert under the guidance of a great leader until they could reach the promised land. The Palestinians lack both the time and Moses. CHAIM OSIN Haifa, Israel Via E-mail
The Israeli military machine has total disregard for the Palestinian people, something that is all too evident in everyday life. The Palestinians have proved to be a most patient people, but the occupation of their land needs to cease. There is only one "diplomatic solution" that Israel needs to consider: redeployment from Hebron and the rest of the West Bank and Gaza. MICHAEL MUMFORD Bir-Zeit, the West Bank Via E-mail
Open contempt for Islam will not enhance the security or credibility of Israel, especially at this critical time. What to do? The victims of the recent uprising are dead. If Netanyahu would apologize to the Palestinians for not advising them in advance of the opening of the new tunnel entrance, that courteous act would not endanger security and would do much to restore goodwill and trust in the peace process. JOHN TOMASIN West New York, New Jersey
Muslims always retaliate when a holy site is invaded. We have seen it again and again in Chechnya, Afghanistan, Srinagar, Ayodhya and for the past 30 years in Jerusalem. If sanctions can be placed on Cuba, Iraq, Libya, Iran, Bosnia and North Korea, then why can't they be placed on Israel? OSAMA SURVERY Kingston, Canada
EXPLORING THE UNIVERSE
In his piece about mankind's looking for life in space [Essay, Oct. 7], Charles Krauthammer calls the 1968 film 2001 "a bit campy," with its "metaphysical stuff" and "psychedelic ending." In fact, the movie is uncannily prescient because it portrays three obviously approaching landmarks of the 21st century. Computers will become smaller, faster, more numerous and incredibly powerful at a breakneck speed until they equal and then surpass the human brain. We will have ever more complete knowledge of our own biological processes, and this will give us control over our mortality, metabolism, emotions and form. The ability to manipulate our physical form will allow us to travel to distant stars and thus confront the as yet dimly seen face of God. It is often noted that science, like population growth, is advancing at an exponential rate. But it is important to remember that the beginning of exponential growth is ordinary and unremarkable. Once it gathers steam, however, it is overwhelming. KEVIN KARN Osaka, Japan
What's all the fuss about finding life in space? Captain Kirk's been doing it for years. DAVID JOHANNSEN Wildwood, New Jersey
ON DEATH ROW