September 2: On and on

Israel is always the one showing restraint in order not to undermine someone, no one is concerned about undermining Israel.

By JERUSALEM POST READERS
letters (photo credit: JP)
letters
(photo credit: JP)
On and on
Sir, – There is “concrete intelligence” regarding plans for a terror attack from Sinai (“Troops deploy in South amid fears of terrorist infiltration,” August 31).
The article says the IDF and Shin Bet are working “closely to thwart the attack.” A senior defense official says that Israel is restraining itself and not taking action against the Islamic Jihad in order to not undermine the Egyptian regime. And so it goes, on and on.
Israel is always the one showing restraint in order not to undermine someone, friend or foe. No one however, is concerned about undermining Israel – and why should they be when our government is prepared to sit back time and time again waiting for an attack.
Anyone with half a brain can see that the situation calls for a policy of attack and destroy, letting our enemies (and, I might add, “friends”) see that we are no longer willing to be sacrificed on the alter of political correctness.
EDITH OGNALL
Netanya
Lousy regulations?
Sir, – I was gratified to read the headline on Page 4 of your August 31 newspaper – “Peres: Road safety can be averted if regulations are followed.”
It was about time your headline writer came out strongly against road safety.
We have too few accidents, and anything that can increase their number is to be encouraged.
LARRY ISRAEL
Rehovot
The Editor responds: The letter writer is, of course, right. The headline should have said “increased,” not “averted.”
Bouncing ball
Sir, – As is his custom, Gershon Baskin seems to place the blame for no progress in the peace process on the Israeli government (“I call it national suicide,” Encountering Peace, August 30).
Baskin appears to have lost sight of the fact that Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu has accepted the need for a two-state solution and requested to meet with PA President Mahmoud Abbas, even in Ramallah.
Netanyahu has stated clearly that the two states will be the Jewish state of Israel and the Arab state of Palestine. He has even accepted that the state of Palestine will be judenrein.
Abbas, on the other hand, has refused to accept Israel as the Jewish state despite the full rights enjoyed by Israeli Arabs. The ball is clearly in his court, and all Israelis should acknowledge this.
ROBYN ROTBERG
Kfar Saba
Matter of timing
Sir, – I wish to thank Khaled Diab for “Love thy neighboring enemy” (Comment & Features, August 30), which has a conciliatory ring that is very welcome.
Its claim that recognition of the good qualities of the other side “can be a first step to healing wounds” makes much sense. But how realistic is it in the current state of affairs?
RACHEL BIRATI
Melbourne, Australia
Build on it
Sir, – Good observation by Richard Curwin (“Where does the energy go?,” Comment & Features, August 29). However, it is all up to teachers who are excited and prepared to engage their students and give them confidence.
There are no wrong answers – just answers that can be built on. When a child is encouraged, it will lead to excitement and enthusiasm. I fully appreciate that a large class size and the amount of material given a teacher puts him or her under pressure. However math, reading and writing can all be covered in fun projects.
When teaching fractions, add a musical scale. Now that you have the musical scale, research a composer.
If that composer came from Austria, do a bit of geography and look into the food that was prepared in that region.
Whatever you do, please hand back all assigned projects in a short time. Children need feedback and trust.
HELENE MESSINGER
Jerusalem
The writer is a retired teacher.