'In lauding Larry Derfner for having kept his magazine features “de-editorialized” and “un-opinionated,” Israel Kasnett shows why Derfner’s firing was entirely justified.'
By JERUSALEM POST READERSFiring DerfnerSir, – It is with great sadness that we read that Larry Derfner’s informative and groundbreaking articles will no longer be available to readers of your magazine (“Taking a stand,” A View from Israel, September 2). His work always uncovered aspects that had not been obvious and contributed much to our improved understanding.There is no doubt that the quotes from Derfner’s blog were offensive to all Israelis.However, every one of us is entitled to make one mistake without forfeiting his livelihood, and in this case, a warning should have been sufficient.We sincerely hope that some way can be found, in light of human understanding and tolerance, so that we will continue to benefit from his insights.SARAH AND DAVID MEYER HaifaSir, – In lauding Larry Derfner for having kept his magazine features “de-editorialized” and “un-opinionated,” Israel Kasnett shows why Derfner’s firing was entirely justified.Clearly, Derfner was capable of writing thoughtful, objective pieces when he wanted to.But in his “Rattling the Cage” column, he chose to belittle those who disagreed with him.The problem was not the substantive positions he espoused, but that he chose to reject the possibility that opposing views might have some validity, and that those who held them might honestly have the best interests of Israel at heart. As a result, he devalued thoughtful discussion and compromise.This was the exact opposite of Kasnett’s assertion that Derfner was “always open to ideas.”EFRAIM A. COHEN Zichron Ya’acov Very serious mattersSir, – David Breakstone’s “The Amazing Mr. Jones” (Keep Dreaming, September 2) seems to be an attempt to smooth over the impending UN Palestinian vote with a bit of sleight of hand.While Breakstone reminds us, correctly, that the return to our land is still a work in progress and that self-improvement and problem-solving in our society should be emphasized, he relies on philosophic theories and clever analogies to make his point. As interesting as these arguments are, the present circumstances of Israel’s global situation should be viewed and understood for the very serious matters they are. It is true that dozens of things can be discussed rather than the Arab- Israeli dispute, but to do so now, as the enemy gathers, is wholly inappropriate.Breakstone admits that too many Jews are ignorant of what we really face here. It would have been far better to counsel a massive Israeli public relations program on the realities of today’s Middle East than to blow theoretical smoke screens. The priority today is to defend our nation and save human lives.YITZCHAK BEN-SHMUEL Modi’inSir, – I was delighted to read David Breakstone’s account of Ido Aharoni, Israel’s consul general in New York. Aharoni rightly calls on us to change the conversation about Israel to its achievements and contributions to the world.It has not been easy to get the message across. I urge everyone to publicize Israel’s medical, scientific, technological and environmental innovations to the world. Tell them about its cutting-edge developments, its entrepreneurial successes, its social activism, coexistence efforts, alternative energy breakthroughs and humanitarian aid programs.MICHAEL ORDMAN Netanya The writer is a blogger at verygoodnewsisrael.blogspot. com Us vs Them Sir, – There’s one small, sad caveat to Daniel K. Eisenbud’s amazing discovery of peaceful Arab-Jewish coexistence that I’d like to remind him: If things get really bad, like if there’s an existential threat to the State of Israel, God forbid, the country’s Arabs will get behind the radicals to save their own skin. It’s human nature.So Daniel, let’s not get carried away. Keep your powder dry!HOWARD ZIRKIN Meitar
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