PROF MUST REASSESS BLAME FOR MIDEAST VIOLENCE.(MAIN)

Byline: KENNETH STERN Albany

This is a response to the March 7 letter from Armand Baker on violence in Israel.

No people long for peace more than the Israeli people, and usually (although not always) no side in a war is entirely blameless. But in writing that Israel also should be blamed (although he seems to omit the ``also'') for the violence, Baker seems to forget that, as Prime Minister Sharon has said, Israel's ``back is to the wall.''

The Palestinians have given mixed messages about whether their aim is just a Palestinian state, or whether that is just a step in the eventual attempt to eliminate Israel. The Israelis cannot afford to make a …