The Post has published a number of articles on the IBA's outrageous position - but where are its readers?
By JERUSALEM POST STAFFletters 88(photo credit: )
JP readers, where are you?
Sir, - When HOT threatened to remove BBC Prime from its list of TV channels, the letters poured in. When the IBA threatened to take the English News off the air, the letters flowed. Now the IBA has decided to close down the Jerusalem Symphony, and there is... silence.
The Post has published a number of articles on the IBA's outrageous position - but where are its readers? It seems the People of the Book have turned into the TV People.
The JSO has brought 70 years of beautiful music to young and old in our city. Under the baton of Maestro Leon Botstein the orchestra has achieved renewed heights of acclaim, playing to packed audiences here and abroad. Its members have served as ambassadors for Israel during extremely difficult times.
Botstein, with his constant generosity toward the orchestra, has shown it to be one of the city's most important symbols. His dedication and expertise have succeeded where others failed.
Why destroy this Jerusalem icon now? Wake up readers! Make your voices heard before it is too late ("JSO musicians strike a chord against IBA funding cuts," July 2).
FRIEDA I. ROSS
Jerusalem
Look on the bright side
Sir, - How fortunate that the government is not reshuffling other professions. We would have sewer engineers running the kitchens, mechanical engineers supervising the carpentry and real estate agents in charge of the nurseries. Ear, nose and throat doctors would be examining our colons, dermatologists would be doing brain surgery, pulmonary experts would be taking care of our feet and podiatrists would be monitoring our hearts ("Winners and losers in the cabinet reshuffle," July 5).
AARON SWIRSKI
Netanya
Last thing on their minds
Sir, - I agree with every word Isi Leibler wrote in "Stop appeasing Abu Mazen" (July 4). What he suggested is exactly what we should have done long ago. But our ineffectual government and its lackluster, incompetent leader are incapable of making tough decisions. The only thing important to them is maintaining their government and their positions in it. The citizens of this country, its needs and problems, are the last things on their political agenda.
FRANCES DASH
Zichron Ya'acov
Giving a free ride to the Palestinians
Sir, - Gisha's work in promoting freedom of movement for Palestinians may reflect a genuine concern for Palestinian rights. However, as NGO Monitor's detailed analyses have shown, this mandate is often distorted to promote a one-sided political agenda and inaccurate presentations of the conflict. There is a palpable neglect of the thousands of Kassam rocket attacks on southern Israel, and of the mass turmoil caused by intra-Palestinian fighting.
Instead, Gisha lays the blame squarely on Israel. Claims that "Israel still occupies Gaza" and that it has "adopted a policy of collective punishment‚" at best reflect a politicized viewpoint.
As a human rights organization, Gisha has a responsibility to engage with the complexities, balancing Palestinian rights with protecting Israelis from terrorism and not simplifying the conflict so that Palestinians are excused of all responsibility ("Rights group: Israeli policy ruining what's left of Gaza economy," July 4).
JASON PEARLMAN NGO Monitor
Jerusalem
Sir, - How could any country have commerce with an entity that does not recognize its right to exist? It is not that the civilian population is being collectively punished in the Gaza Strip; it is that Gaza is presently dominated by the terrorist Hamas organization, which will do everything in its power to annihilate Israel. Opening up the land or sea borders would be tantamount to allowing suicide bombers into Israel; weaponry and contraband for use against Israelis to cross over into Gaza, and foreign terrorists to enter Gaza in addition to the food supplies so desperately needed by the civilian population.
Why doesn't Hamas put the welfare and prosperity of its people before its political policies? Why doesn't it recognize its neighbor's right to exist? Why should Israel risk the life of even one Israeli citizen on the chance that its good will won't be exploited for sinister deeds?
YOEL NITZARIM
Skokie
Feeling better now
Sir, - Larry Derfner's "An improper Zionist response" (July 5) sure made me feel relieved. The compassion he shows for suffering Sudanese is reassuring. What has always inspired me most as a Jew and a Zionist is when Israel reaches out to help others, Jewish or not.
PETER SHMUEL LEVITT
Netanya
Willing and able, but 'too old'
Sir, - I have just seen that the IDF wants to try and get more Anglos into its ranks. Well, I have to say this is a bit of a joke as I came to Israel less than a year ago, full of zeal to join the IDF - and was promptly turned away because I am 30 years old, even though I have spent seven years in the Royal Navy and have skills the IDF could use.
Why doesn't the police or prison service try and recruit olim who are too old for the IDF but willing and able to serve?
Give us an ulpan so we can learn Hebrew, and a job in the police, and you would get educated immigrants who are motivated, have a love of their new country and, more importantly, want to help it ("Anglos to get better jobs in the army," On-Line Edition, July 5).
ALLAN GOLD
Ramat Ilan
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