In your editorial, "A Way Forward for Israel" (June 2), your presentation leaves readers with the impression that it is not clear who initiated the violence aboard the Mavi Marmara. In fact footage released by Israel clearly shows passengers on the boat brutally beating Israeli soldiers the moment they dropped into its deck from hovering helicopters. There is no alternative footage of unprovoked Israeli fire. All the hard evidence indicates that the violence began at the hands of the so called "peace activists." The Israeli soldiers responded in self defense to save their lives. I encourage your readers to watch the tapes and come to their own conclusions.

Rabbi Ross Singer, Pikesville

The writer is rabbi of Beth Tfiloh.