By JERUSALEM POST STAFFIran's worrying nukes
Sir, - Whatever happened to the promise to the people of the free world that Iran and/or other rogue nations would not be allowed nuclear capabilities - that the US would stop them? Now we're the ones who have stopped looking for more promises. Our sleep at night is not good.
("US puts onus on Security Council to stop Iran," April 14.)
LAMAR CARNES
San Antonio, Texas
Sir, - Sometimes it's best to stop talking and start doing. Iran is well on its way to developing nukes, which it will gladly drop on Israel and sell to al-Qaida. Will Israel wait until the air raid sirens sound, or take earlier action?
ABE KRIEGER
Philadelphia
Sir, - Everyone seems concerned about Iran's nuclear weapons, but no one seems to be talking about its potentially more dangerous biological weapons program.
ISRAEL ZWICK
New York
Sir, - It seems that between Europe and the US, neither has the balls to do anything about Iran. I would have thought that Israel would already have put a stop to those fools. They don't understand anything but getting their --- kicked, and I hope Israel will do the world a favor and give those mullahs 72 virgins in Heaven to look forward to.
DONALD CRISCO
Lexington, North Carolina
Jews against Jews
Sir, - Re "British MP wants sanctions against Israel for killing 2 Britons in Gaza" (April 12): I know British Jews well. Some aim to be "more Catholic than the Pope," more English than the English, and more anti-Jewish than anyone else. The worst Jew-baiters in Nazi Germany were those who wished to hide a Jewish ancestry.
MAX FRIEDLANDER
Jerusalem
Sir, - British MP Gerald Kaufman has taken another opportunity to castigate the State of Israel over the unfortunate deaths of two British nationals caused by the IDF. Without going into the rights and wrongs of the case I should like to explain the sub-agenda of Mr. Kaufman. His constituency has a huge Muslim population, without which he could not be elected. Easier and less painful to show what an anti-Zionist Jew he is.
JEFFREY MARLOWE
Leeds, UK
Claiming my 'birthright'
Sir, - Re David Forman's attack on birthright israel, I would like to defend the program ("Reevaluate birthright israel," April 11). I went on birthright this past January and can assure Mr. Forman and your readers that the program is working.
Sure, he can point to percentages of participants who claim they would still marry a non-Jew even after going on the trip. But Mr. Forman does not realize what we bring back after a trip like this. Often I am arguing with my parents, friends, professors and others about world politics. Since going to Israel my love for and loyalty to Israel and its cause has strengthened tremendously.
Backing up my argument with stories from soldiers I met on birthright only makes my case stronger.
When my parents saw the pride I felt when I got off the plane, they realized it was time for them to visit Israel. And every time I wake up in the morning since coming back I find myself reading The Jerusalem Post, something I had never done before. Why? Because I feel a part of this great country now that I have fulfilled my birthright.
DANIEL BANK
New York
Sir, - David Forman's criticism of the effectiveness of birthright israel was somewhat misplaced. As I understand it, the program is designed to reawaken that little spot of Jewishness in the soul of young Jews who are unaware of or dissociated from their heritage.
The fact that a certain proportion of participants eventually lapse back into their assimilated, pre-Israel state does not mean the program is unsuccessful. Even if it results in a very small number of youngsters becoming Jewishly aware it is a huge success. Perhaps some sort of follow-up adult Jewish educational program is needed.
HAIM M. LERNER
Ganei Tikva
Apprehend these illegal Viagra suppliers
Sir, - In a number of Hebrew dailies, as well as in most of the local newspapers, Viagra is openly advertised and sent to any address by messenger.
Let me refer you back to an article in your newspaper: "Health Ministry to complain over Viagra ads" (December 22, 2000), which emphasized that this medication can be obtained legally only via a physician's prescription.
Why are these unauthorized Viagra dealers - who in most cases sell imitations which may turn out to be dangerous to one's health - allowed to continue advertising their illegal wares in edition after edition of those papers with nobody trying to put an end to this business?
The distributor does not advertise his name or address, but could easily be apprehended by arresting the messengers who deliver the pills - and collect the money for him.
L. STEPHENS
Tel Aviv
If not for Chabad
Sir, - Re "Chabad Seder in Nepal draws crowd" (April 14): Your letters column has recently carried criticism of Chabad for its non-Zionism and other traits. Yet no one can deny that the movement is the epitome of Jewish outreach. What would these Israeli backpackers have done on Seder night if not for Chabad?
D. LEHRER
Sydney