Jordan’s King Hussein

I read King Hussein’s interview, “Only God Has a Claim in Jerusalem” (Oct. 28), with amusement. Isn’t this the same King Hussein who barred Jews from the Jordanian side until it was freed in 1967? And isn’t this the man who allowed synagogues in the Old City to be destroyed? And what about the tombstones from the Jewish cemetery on the Mount of Olives--one of the holiest of Jewish cemeteries--which were thrown over, smashed, or used to build latrines for the Jordanian army? When I visited Jordan in 1965, I had to lie about my religion. Hussein is the reason Israel won’t give up the holy places. Israel allows Muslims and Christians access to their holy places, which is more than the Hashemite regime ever did for Jews.

JAY BISNO

Culver City

* King Hussein believes the holy places of Jerusalem should not be under anyone’s sovereignty. Who does he propose manage them? The last time Jordanians controlled the holy places of Jerusalem they destroyed the Jewish Quarter. Under Israeli sovereignty Muslim holy places are protected by the government and controlled by Muslims.

CAROL AGATE

Los Angeles