Sir, – Regarding “Ya’alon apologizes for disparaging comments on Kerry” (January 15): Bravo, Boogie! It’s about time someone in the Israeli government stated the obvious. And the obvious is that we have an ignorant and incompetent or even malevolent US administration that has created a trail of disasters in the Middle East.The Egyptians managed to reverse the Obama administration’s serial bungling, but Iran’s acquisition of the bomb due to Washington’s stupidity and obsession with the “peace process” would be catastrophic.Of course, Israel would never permit that, yet it is almost surreal that our very survival is so influenced by people who have no knowledge of what they are doing and are supported by so many sycophants and questioned by so few.
The Americans have finally begun to catch up with the disasters that President Barack Obama created on the domestic front, but they have no idea how their electoral choice has placed the entire world under the threat of an Iranian nuclear bomb.Given the gravity and imminence of that threat, it is surprising that it took so long for someone in Israel to state that the emperor has no clothes.MLADEN ANDRIJASEVICBeersheba
Sir, – The United States demanded that Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon apologize to US Secretary of State John Kerry. How about what President Barack Obama has said about our prime minister to Putin and whomever would listen? The US demands we free terrorists who murdered numerous people. How many murderers has America freed? The US demands we give back land that belongs to us. How much land has America given back to the native Americans and the Mexicans? You teach people how to treat you. Israel does not have to bow to demands that are contrary to its safety.SYLVIA WEISSMANN
Jerusalem
Sir, – Moshe Ya’alon’s remarks raise doubts as to his capacity to continue being defense minister. The damage is done – no apology will undo what has been said, which could have serious consequences for our relationship with the Obama administration, which, to say the least, has not been the very best.Unnecessary remarks only make things more complicated.If Ya’alon were really sorry, he would submit a letter of resignation. And Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, to show how serious he is about the negotiations with the Palestinians, should accept it. This might deter some of the “messianic” and “obsessed” people on our own side to be more careful.Unfortunately, in Israeli politics the word “resign” is a rather exotic term.HENRY WEIL
Jerusalem
Sir, – Obviously, Moshe Ya’alon was not aware of the Gates Rule when he made his comments: Say whatever you wish about a fellow politician, but only after you have retired from public service.MICHAEL D. HIRSCH
Kochav Yair
Sir, – It is unfortunate that utterings in a private conversation are blown out of proportion by the press, and an apology is demanded by the US government.A few years ago, US President Barack Obama and French president Nicolas Sarkozy were overheard making insulting remarks out our prime minister. “I cannot bear Netanyahu; he’s a liar,” Sarkozy told Obama, who didn’t exactly defend the prime minister.“You’re fed up with him,” the American leader said, “but I have to deal with him even more often than you.”I do not recall any apology forthcoming from Obama or Sarkozy.BELLE RUBIN
Jerusalem
Sir, – Memo to Moshe Ya’alon (file under Helpful Hints for Life):
1. Not everything that’s true must be said.2. Not everything you think must be expressed.STUART PILICHOWSKI
Mevaseret Zion