Readers respond to the Jerusalem Post's latest articles.
By LETTERS TO THE EDITORLetters(photo credit: REUTERS)Bibi and Barack Sir, – With regard to “Netanyahu authorizes plans for 1,060 homes in capital” (October 28), kol hakavod to Bibi. The prime minister finally is speaking and acting like the leader of the Jewish people.Oslo was not enough. The expulsion from Gush Katif was not enough. Defending ourselves against deadly rocket attacks is too much. The US, Europe and the world will find a problem with everything we say or do.US President Barack Obama will be out of office in two years.As was the case with all the various “peace” plans proposed by the Arabist State Department, so too will Secretary John Kerry and his own plans find their place in the dustbin of history.AVRAHAM FRIEDMANModi’in IllitSir, – Benjamin Netanyahu’s position as prime minister requires him to safeguard the interests of Israel, in particular vis-a-vis its trusted ally, the US.Regrettably, a position of power tends to push even the most politically astute people too far at times.It is high time to call a halt to the deterioration of relations with the US, and with President Barack Obama in particular.We Israelis mistakenly think we have the power to take care of ourselves against all our adversaries.Not so. It is time for Bibi to realize that the US is a world power and can hurt us more than we can the US.We still need all the good will of Washington. Nothing can change that.NAFTALI WAGSCHALNew YorkIt’s no ‘game’Sir, – Seth J. Frantzman writes a very interesting article regarding Isawiya (“We can’t live normally,” October 28). Its residents state many complaints and are perturbed at so many restrictions and closures on their community.Then, in the height of chutzpah, one, acknowledging the stone-throwing, states: “Yes, the kids throw stones, and for them it is like a game, like Tom and Jerry.”I am fairly certain that Asher and Yonatan Palmer did not think it was a game as they breathed their last breaths. I know my fellow residents of Ma’aleh Adumim do not think it is a game when these “kids” throw stones at cars driving by Isawiya and have been hit or have needed to swerve to avoid being killed.No, my dear residents of Isawiya! Do you want to know why the Border Police are there? Do you want to know why the roads are being blocked into your village? It is your fault. Do not blame the victim. Do not say it is not your responsibility.Stop the violence. Stop the stone throwing. Stop the Molotov cocktails. Then we can talk.Until then, it is your own community that will bear the consequences of the “game.”ZE’EV M SHANDALOVMa’aleh AdumimSir, – Seth J. Frantzman presents a picture of Isawiya as a beleaguered, destitute neighborhood adjacent to the impressive Hebrew University campus, Hadassah Hospital and French Hill, and implies that Isawiya has been unfairly subject to collective punishment.Only the Isawiyan side of the story is presented. Lacking is context, history and the points of view of a responsible police spokesman and the citizens of nearby French Hill, where we live.Isawiyans have traditionally moved freely in our neighborhood, using our post office and shopping center. Their children play basketball and soccer in our school yards. Their toddlers visit our parks. However, for the citizens of French Hill – or any Jews, for that matter – Isawiya is a no-go zone. Several times in the recent past Jews have mistakenly entered and nearly were lynched.JOAN and ROBERT GOLDSTEIN JerusalemSir, – It is my belief that the word “intifada” should not be used by the Israeli media to describe Arab behavior now or as a historic event.Intifada means “uprising,” and that implies that there was probably a justification for the murderous activity on the part of the Arab population. What the media refer to as the first and second intifadas, and a possible third intifada, should simply be called “Arab Violence 1,” “Arab Violence 2” and vile, possibly murderous “Arab Violence 3.” It didn’t take me long to use those terms and everyone knows exactly what I mean.Call the acts what they really are: violence. If you don’t like that word, use the term terrorism.We must stop pandering to the Israel-hating anti-Semites of this world. That begins by telling the truth and being unafraid to do so.SONIA GOLDSMITHNetanyaWhich nation?Sir, – With reference to “Issue of suspending Zoabi from Knesset to go to vote” (October 28), MK Haneen Zoabi is quoted as saying: “It’s not that they don’t want Arabs in the Knesset; they just want ‘good Arabs.’ We won’t be ‘good Arabs’ for the government, we will be good for our nation and our views.”I should like to know to which nation MK Zoabi, as a member of the Israeli parliament, refers: the Palestinian nation or the Israeli nation?JACKIE ALTMANNetanyaCourting the lawSir, – With all due respect, your comments in “Dangerous solution” (Editorial, October 28) and those of Amir Fuchs in “Overriding the Supreme Court: A breach in the wall of democracy” (Comment & Features, October 28) are sheer demagoguery.Israel is recognized as having one of the most activist supreme courts on the planet. It allows non-citizens to petition against acts of the state and the military. It allows direct appeals, whereas other democracies insist that petitioners must go through the lower courts first. It allows parties unconnected to disputes to submit arguments.The elected body of the people must be preeminent. The Supreme Court must rule on the legality of the laws passed, not redefine them. It needs reining in. It can be accomplished while at the same time ensuring that the tyranny of the majority, under which we suffered for centuries, does not gain the upper hand.YISRAEL GUTTMANJerusalemSir, – Regarding “Overriding the Supreme Court: A breach in the wall of democracy,” the function of the Supreme Court is to interpret and legally enforce the laws of the land, not make laws. As currently constituted, it sees itself as the unelected political arm of the Left and rules against democratically instituted laws when they do not suit its political leanings.Amir Fuchs tries to line up Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s quote as supporting his assertions. But nowhere in his quote can I see where the prime minister says he supports the Supreme Court as the source of laws of the land.Israel is a democratic country and for that very reason it cannot allow an unelected body to be the initiator of laws.M. LEVENTHAL Jerusalem/TorontoSir, – I find your editorial “Dangerous solution” to be most disturbing, mainly because of its being utterly unbalanced and lacking a minimal amount of compassion for our own people.It has always been my belief that if somebody breaks into my home it is my right and my duty to do all within my ability in order to confront the intruder.And if, as a result, something unpleasant happens to the uninvited “visitor,” well, he brought it upon himself. Now comes your editorial and tells me that prior to defending my basic rights I am to consider the rights of the trespasser.It appears that you and all the bleeding hearts have chosen to forget the adage aniei ircha kodmim (first, provide for your own).MOSHE KOLINKiryat Motzkin
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