Education Must Come First, Flags Later

To the editors:

The prohibition against the display of the Palestinian flag in an official manner at Harvard brings attention to the fact that Palestinian students have far fewer opportunities for a world class education in comparison to their neighbors (News, “Students Blast Prohibition of Palestinian Flag Display,” Sept. 29).

Demonstrating against the absence of harmless symbols has merit but the real challenge in the case of Palestine and similar peoples or nations is to provide education to their younger citizens. Such efforts should also include opportunities for gifted students to attend leading colleges and graduate schools such as those at Harvard.

Without such opportunities and education, Palestine will not emerge from its current bloody impasse with Israel. Appropriate leadership and expertise will not emerge. The lack of opportunity will also lead to continued self-immolation as a weapon of both terror and despair.

Bohdan A. Oryshkevich

New York City, N.Y.

Sept. 30, 2003