I was appalled by the cover and headline of your Jan. 7 issue. Coupling the handholding of two bishops and Chairman Arafat with Isaiah's words of consolation for the Jewish people made support of the Arab position alone both obvious and offensive. The headline claims "support" was taken "to Jerusalem." There was, however, no evidence of any fairness to or support for the Jewish state as well as the Palestinian Authority.

A reading of history shows that the Arabs declined to share power in Palestine at the time of the world leaders' effort to establish a fair division. The church's apparent effort to portray Palestinians as the only victims, the only martyrs, is an injustice to the people of Israel. Certainly Israel as a young democracy has made some cruel mistakes.

The Israelis are not the relentless destroyers TLC seems to suggest nor is Chairman Arafat the entirely virtuous peacemaker this presentation seems to portray. For example, over several weeks, he declined to urge on his people a cessation of violence.

I continue to hear and read some of Arab leaders' statements desiring the extermination of Israel and all Jews. TLC's presentation contributes to what I have seen as an uncritical and systematic bias for the Arab position by the leadership of our church. The church's assertions have too often seemed oversimplified, lacking both in historical perspective and accuracy. The consistent unilateral emphasis gives the unfortunate impression that the church is anti-Jewish in its philosophy and practice.

Linda B. Kingdon

Bennington, Vt.