Israeli settlements

Regarding the front page article "Arabs Feel the Pressure of Israel's Overtures," July 23: The author states in the article, "The issue of Israeli settlements, built on Arab land to absorb Jewish immigrants, has been a major sticking point since the peace process was launched in Madrid last October."

This land is not Arab land, and the settlements are not being built to absorb Jewish immigrants. Many Israelis consider it Israeli land. To be fair, this land is disputed until its status is settled by a peace treaty. The inhabitants are mostly young Israeli families looking for affordable housing. Michael Wolin, Longmont, Colo.

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