February 1: No bias found

No bias found

Sir, – As chairperson of the Knesset Special Committee for Foreign Workers, I would like to comment on “NGO: Remove reports by biased former Knesset researcher” (January 30).

As opposed to what was stated in the elaborate article, Dr. Gilad Natan’s research was not found to be biased in any way. On the contrary, it was checked by professionals who found it to be impeccable and of the highest standards.

Furthermore, I can testify personally as chairperson of the committee that made the most use of Natan’s work, that he is an upstanding researcher, a true professional and a most devoted and noble person.

His dismissal was an unjustified act that affects the status of Knesset employees in general.

NITZAN HOROWITZ
Tel Aviv

The writer is a member of Knesset

Came up short

Sir, – In his column praising Binyamin Netanyahu (“Lead, Bibi, lead!,” Center Field, January 30), Gil Troy found it necessary to plead with the prime minister.

History will show that Bibi was the shrewdest local politician Israel ever had. But as a true leader he has come up short. He failed Israel in putting together a vision and a workable plan for finding peace with the Palestinians, and did not have the courage to stand up to the haredim when it came to a universal draft.

If his coalition partners allow him to put together a huge coalition we will have a do-nothing government that will only guaranty his survival.

I am absolutely convinced that the Likud was set back in the last election because of poor leadership.

Let’s hope that Lapid and Bennett, the two new, young and dynamic party leaders, will serve as a background that induces our prime minister to show his real leadership qualities.

PAUL BERMAN
Shoham

Sir, – So why, pray tell, did support for Binyamin Netanyahu drop so much, including the loss of my own vote? The man is opportunistic and dishonest. Two recent examples suffice: “We will build in E1! Um, okay, we won’t.” “No money for the PA! Um, I changed my mind.”

My prediction? Watch the pledge to bring the haredim and Arabs into Israeli society go down the tubes. The man is incorrigible!

YISRAEL GUTTMAN
Jerusalem

Sundays off

Sir, – Bayit Yehudi leader Naftali Bennett has struck a chord with me (“Bennett to push for Sundays off,” News in Brief, January 28).

His idea should have wide acceptance among Israelis.

As an Orthodox Jew I am pained to see people in Tel Aviv eat in restaurants on Friday night, and the younger crowd going to bars and dance halls. I can understand them, since Sunday is a work day. In Western countries Saturday night is the big night for entertainment because Sunday is a day of rest.

I am sure most secular Jews would also be happy with Sundays off. Employers should give a choice to their employees to come to work half an hour earlier and stay an hour longer Mondays through Thursdays in order to get Sundays off.

NISSIM BAHAR
Tel Aviv

No asset

Sir, – I cannot refrain from responding to “Bayit Yehudi’s Gimpel vows to keep serving country” (January 27).

First, Gimpel was foolish to talk about the status of the Dome of the Rock.

Don’t we have enough issues to contend with? Naftali Bennett ought to think twice about Gimpel as an asset.

Second, isn’t it about time people gave up the idea of building a Third Temple? Who needs it? History has moved on. God is not to be found in a building, because “the whole earth is filled with His glory.”

HELEN LEVENSTON
Jerusalem

CORRECTION The article “The good fight” in today’s Magazine should have included the information: “Reprinted from Moynihan’s Moment by Gil Troy with permission from Oxford University Press USA. Copyright © 2012 by Gil Troy.”