To the editor:

I found Judi Rudoren's story, "In a West Bank Culture of Conflict, Boys Wield the Weapon at Hand," to be heartwarming. How wonderful it is that while teenagers almost elsewhere else are forced by their parents to go to school, teenagers in the Palestinian Authority get to participate in the wonderful outdoor activity of throwing stones at passing cars. Although unmentioned in the article, this healthful (for them) exercise is strongly encouraged by their government.

That on Monday evening Alexander Levlovich joined other Jews, thanks to those stones, now permanently residing six feet underground is a bonus for the Palestinians, although it's obviously a minor side issue for The New York Times.

No wonder the Palestinian Arabs, except for the Christians suffering under the boot of the Palestinian Authority, are staying put in the disputed territories while their brethren throughout the violent Middle East are fleeing.

Sincerely,

Alan Stein