It is terribly upsetting that Rev. Bruce Shipman, a Yale chaplain, has been forced into retirement for expressing an opinion concerning Israel's policies and its possible relationship to rising anti-Semitism in Europe, "Letter to the editor finishes Groton Episcopal priest's chaplaincy at Yale," (Sept. 16).

He wanted to start a good faith discussion on the Yale campus concerning the conflict which is causing so much suffering.

Has the Yale campus community become so afraid of an open discussion? What about academic freedom and freedom of speech? Our government is not immune to criticism so why should the government of Netanyahu be above comment?

Our great college campuses should not become tongue-tied in fear of the Anti-defamation League and criticism of Israel's government should not be considered anti-Semitism per se.

The policies of any government of any country should be open for discussion.