April 6: Same applies here

"We’re hearing talk that the US might release Jonathan Pollard in order to force more useless concessions from Israel."

By JERUSALEM POST READERS
Letters 370 (photo credit: REUTERS/Handout )
Letters 370
(photo credit: REUTERS/Handout )
Same applies here
Sir, – Suddenly, we’re hearing talk that the US might release Jonathan Pollard in order to force more useless concessions from Israel (“Kerry drops trip to PA to seal deal that would free Pollard, curb settlement construction,” April 2). Note to our prime minister: You were hoodwinked in this matter once before, when president Bill Clinton promised to release Pollard after the Wye agreement and then reneged.
Binyamin Netanyahu should tell Obama-Kerry three things:
1. Until Pollard is in Israel he will not discuss further unilateral concessions of any sort.
2. At the end of World War II, neither Germany nor Japan demanded from the Allies any concessions in order to sign a peace treaty.
3. When it comes to Jews, the normal relationship between victor and defeated should be applicable.
MENACHEM DAYAGI
Tel Aviv
Sir, – There is an adage: “Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me.”
Abbas and the UN; prisoners with and without blood on their hands; victims of terror; US Secretary of State Kerry’s “peace” visits; Jonathan Pollard; and the rest of this endless charade – Israel’s apologies to the world send the message “Pardon us for living.”
Perhaps our self-respect needs rejuvenation.
RUBY RAY KARZEN
Jerusalem
Sir, – We’ve allowed ourselves to be in the absurdly tragic position of abstract vs. concrete. On the Arab side, empty promises.
On the Israeli side, territory and/ or the release of terrorists. All this just for the Arabs to “come to the table.”
The Arabs have nothing to lose. We have so much.
SHOSHANA WEINSTEIN
Kfar Adumim
Troubling assertions
Sir, – Reuven Hammer (“Prayer on the Temple Mount can wait,” Comment & Features, April 3) made several assertions that trouble me.
He states that Jews should not be permitted to pray on the Temple Mount or even think about having a synagogue there because that would only stir more Arab violence. Since when does the threat of violence determine what is just? What about the agreement that the holy places should be open to all people and not be the monopoly of one religion?
Second, Rabbi Hammer admits that there once was a synagogue on the Temple Mount during the Middle Ages. So why discriminate against Jews having a place to worship there, as do Muslims? And is it not the job of the police to enforce the law? If the fear of violence is so great, let the Temple Mount be closed to all religions.
The piece also makes an unusual comparison when it says that to build a synagogue on the Temple Mount would lead to a Muslim demand to build a mosque in the area of the Western Wall. When was that area considered by Muslims to be as holy as the Temple Mount?
Third, Rabbi Hammer’s assertion that Palestinian Arabs do not wish to be ruled by Israeli occupiers can also be questioned, as we learned when it was suggested that several Arab towns in Israel become part of a future Palestinian state. Instead of eagerly supporting such a suggestion, the Arabs completely rejected it.
JOSHUA J. ADLER
Jerusalem
Excellent article
Sir, – I wish to thank Hannah Brown for her excellent “Beyond ‘Rain Man’” (Arts & Entertainment, April 2), and also for the wonderful piece she recently wrote in your weekend magazine about life with her autistic son. I was happy to read that her son is a swimmer and has won medals in the Special Olympics, where my daughter has been a swimming coach for a long time.
I also wonder if the rise in cases of autism in recent years reflects merely a more efficient form of diagnosis. After all, autism is not communicable.
FREDI KADDAR
Bitan Aharon
Living car-lessly
Sir, – In “Shmita summit: Our year of living car-lessly” (Comment & Features, April 1), Natan Levy notes that going car-less helps prevent global warming and is cheaper. While reasonable people can differ on the geopolitical benefits of going car-less, the personal benefits are real and substantial.
Since shedding our car in 2011 my husband and I walk a lot more and have dropped a few kilos. On the walk and on the light rail we meet neighbors and make new acquaintances.
Although rush hours can be crowded, the train comes quite frequently. During non-peak times it is quiet and comfortable. The time can be used for people watching, newspaper reading or podcast listening.
It might take a little more time, but apps like Moovit give you the time of the next train or bus, making public transportation a lot more convenient. In addition, it is safer than driving and much less stressful.
JOAN GOLDSTEIN
Jerusalem
Forgiveness and trust
Sir, – I am amazed and flabbergasted that 58 percent of Hebrew-speaking employers have no problem hiring Arab men, and 54% of employers and employees have no reluctance to work alongside Arab men (“Survey finds discrimination rife for Arabs, haredim in labor market,” March 31).
Considering the number of incidents during the intifadas where longtime Arab employees violently attacked their bosses or coworkers, this is an amazing example of the Jewish ability to forgive and again trust potential enemies. This contrasts markedly with the “safety” afforded Jews who find themselves in the wrong neighborhood.
YISRAEL GUTTMAN
Jerusalem
Business first
Sir, – Regarding “UNHRC slams Israel in five resolutions” (March 30), while anti-Semitism is common on the street, with EU governments it could be simple greed. The “merchants of Geneva” lead anti-Israel resolutions to please the Arab world and secure market advantage. Others on the council follow for other reasons.
After 15 years of research on this issue, I came to a conclusion: In most countries, anti-Semitism is second thought, if not third (at least in countries where religion is strong). The first thought is business. One billion-plus Muslim customers can’t be ignored for the love of fairness.
ISAAC OFEK
Ramat Aviv
The writer studied sociology and cultural psychology and is writing a book on the countries where Jews have lived since the year 1000 CE
Shame for us all
Sir, – Several years ago, England’s Prince Harry was photographed dressed in a Nazi costume.
It was shocking to see this because for the prince to feel enabled to wear such a costume he had to have absorbed certain values. Since his grandmother is the head of the Church of England, and since the prince spent his formative years at Eton, what does his choice of costume say about his education? Nothing good.
Regarding “Mevaseret politicians refuse to condemn KKK costumes worn by teens for Purim” (March 27), if children here think it’s fun to dress up as members of the Ku Klux Klan, they obviously have no idea they’re doing anything offensive.
Why? They were never taught properly. Look instead at their families, their school, their community and even farther afield.
For these children to have done this is a huge shame for all of us.
BARBARA KALMAN
Rehovot
CLARIFICATION: In “Tel Aviv a hot spot for billionaires” (April 3), Geneva was incorrectly listed as a capital city as part of a quote taken directly from the findings of a survey. Tel Aviv was not described in the findings as a capital city, although the way it was compared to those cities in the article made it appear that way. The ‘Post’ apologizes for the editing errors.