Lied big time

Netanyahu is always quick to state his credentials as a bereaved brother who understands the pain, almost like a badge of honor.

By LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Letters (photo credit: REUTERS)
Letters
(photo credit: REUTERS)
Lied big time
I stand with the bereaved parents who lambasted the prime minister for the death of their sons (“Netanyahu faces fuming bereaved parents at Gaza war memorial ceremony,” July 27). In fact, they did not go far enough – Benjamin Netanyahu should have been booed off the stage as an affront to all the dead.
Netanyahu is always quick to state his credentials as a bereaved brother who understands the pain, almost like a badge of honor, although it is doubtful that his brother would have allowed his men to enter enemy territory after having first alerted an enemy he had no intention of destroying.
Netanyahu caused our soldiers to walk into death traps. He agreed to cease fires that gave Hamas time to regroup and rearm, ready for the next attack at a time of its choosing. He lied big time when he said he did everything to avoid exposing our troops to unnecessary risk before exhausting all the possibilities on both the political and military levels.
He now has the chutzpah to tell these bereaved parents that the IDF is “stronger than ever” and preparing every day for more attacks from Hamas. What he is saying is that we should be prepared for more of our sons to die because we will not take the first step and destroy Hamas, but wait until it attacks us.
YENTEL JACOBS
Netanya
Core curriculum
Lidar Gravé-Lazi paints a very grim picture in “Knesset Education panel approves bill canceling core studies in haredi schools” (July 27). Why is no one mentioning the impact on future generations of an underclass of ill-educated people unable to hold decent jobs in areas critical to our economy and infrastructure? While Torah study is fine in and of itself, it can’t put food on the table or give people a wider world view in a rapidly changing economic and technological environment. Further, it will put undue pressure on the rest of society to carry the weight of others not willing or unable to work! It’s time proponents of this law woke up and realized its long-term impact on the country.
ALIZA WEINBERG
Rehovot
I am absolutely appalled that the bill to instruct haredi students in the basics of math, science and English has been rescinded.
I taught English for 40 years on the high school and college levels here and in the United States, and I felt so sorry for an ultra-Orthodox student who came into my classroom and could hardly pronounce his name in English.
Some of these students are extremely gifted. They could earn a living above the minimum wage if they knew the language. If they knew math and science, they could innovate and heal many of our societal ills.
We don’t have to teach them Shakespeare, but they should be able to answer questions when selling shoes or serving food as a waiter. Zionist Union MK Manuel Trajtenberg is right: “If we do not build the minimal basis for them, we will have wronged them.”
JENNY WEIL
Jerusalem
Giving a damn
A few days ago, I chatted with a young caregiver from Sri Lanka. He has been working in Israel for about two years and looks after an elderly, wheelchair- bound neighbor of mine.
I was shocked when he told me that he had not seen his wife and two children in all the time he had been in Israel because the Israeli government wouldn’t let them visit.
This seems to me to be grossly unfair treatment for foreign workers who are compelled to seek work abroad and leave their families behind.
Can someone explain this heartless and inhumane approach? What are our esteemed political leaders doing to right this disturbing situation in which people like this, who are selflessly helping Israel’s frail and elderly citizens, find themselves? Does anyone here give a damn?
ELIMELECH REUVEN
Jerusalem