By LETTERS TO THE EDITORLetters(photo credit: REUTERS)Hostile visit Sir, – Without even reading it, I was outraged to see The Jerusalem Post give nearly a 1/2-page article encouraging its readers to visit Turkey (“See splendid Turkey on a budget: Take the bus,” Travel Trends, December 7). Today, Turkey is one of the most hostile, anti-Semitic countries to Israel.Where do you suggest we visit next? Qatar, Iran, or maybe Syria? SUSAN TARAGINJerusalemTouching tributeSir, – Greer Fay Cashman did a beautiful job writing on the death of our friend Naphtali Lavie (“Journalist and author Naphtali Lavie dies at 88,” December 7). We all remember that momentous Shabbat four years ago at which his bar mitzva, and more, was remembered.Lavie was a tough guy. Some people reacted negatively to him.Others recognize that it was that toughness that saved his and his brothers’ lives. He came from that founding generation of the State of Israel as well as from that generation of the survivors of the Shoah.As such, he was a witness to two of the greatest historical occurrences in the history of our people.But he also was responsible for a brother and children who articulate all that is good in religious Zionism.People like Naphtali Lavie do not die. Only their physical presence is gone. What they accomplished and what they taught to us does not die in this generation nor in the next.MCHAEL TRAISONPetah TikvaProper vocabularySir, – Your editorial of December 7 (“All the refugees,” Comment andFeatures) repeats the vocabulary used by the press and world leaders that ingrain certain perceptions.You state the “two-state solution” was “revolutionary.” It was not. It was used in various places by Sykes-Picot. This two-state solution was tried when India and Pakistan were separated to divide the Hindus from the Muslims and when Lebanon was cut off from Syria for a Christian haven, and of course, when all of Palestine east of the Jordan River was cut off from the Mandate to quiet Arab rioters and terrorists over the decision to create a Jewish state.You also mention the United Nations’ decision to partition the eastern part of the Palestine Mandate, the area west of the Jordan River. This UN action was only a recommendation. The UN had no authority to decide on this issue by its own charter. You do not mention that the only people identified as Palestinians before 1948 were Jews. The Arabs refused this designation and the Jews accepted it.The “Palestine Post,” the “Palestine Symphony Orchestra” and the “Palestine Police” were all institutions set up and populated by Jews.It is imperative that newspapers use the proper vocabulary when referring to the residents and places of this area. If the Jews, the legal residents, do not use the correct phrases then the rest of the world won’t, and this influences how people think and creates a concept of the situation that is not truthful.AHARON GOLDBERG Hatzor HaglilitBlood-stained historySir, – I commend you for printing Rabbi Rafi Feuerstein’s moving personal account of the tragedy in Har Nof (“Har Nof massacre, Comment and Features, December 7).We have had too many stark reminders in our blood-stained history books of events that have unified us as a people.Most recently the tragic deaths of the three teenagers which drew together the hearts and minds in collective mourning of all our people irrespective of religious affiliation or outlook.Rabbi Feuerstein’s comments serve as a wake-up call to all of us to extend our hands and our hearts to each other not only in times of distress. Our strength lies in our ability to reach out and connect with each other.Unity, solidarity, prayer, belief in Hashem and the goodness in each other are all the weapons we need in the ongoing diplomatic war we are facing. We are one people with one land, together we are strong.Thank you Rabbi Feuerstein for sharing.ANTHONY DAULBYNetanyaNo differenceSir, – It would be useful if MK Rabbi Dov Lipman of Yesh Atid could explain how exactly Health Minister Yael German’s proposal to tax medical tourism is supposed to reduce waiting queues in Israeli hospitals for locals (“Old style politics is harming our country,” Comment and Features, December 7).In all likelihood it will make no difference to a medical tourist who is covered by private insurance in his home country which is unable to offer the range of treatments that are fully within the grasp of Israeli surgeons.Rabbi Lipman might then explain whether wounded Syrians from the current civil war will also be taxed and have to pay for their medical treament in Israeli hospitals which presumably must also increase the queue for Israeli patients. In any event, what can the justification be to allow tourists hotel accomodation VAT free but to charge them VAT for medical treatment? When our politicians – rather than resorting to populist expression – are honest enough to admit that a public health service can only thrive today in conjunction with private medicine, will we be able to prevent these half-baked ideas for new laws being enacted.PETER SIMPSONJerusalem Not in favorSir, – New elections appear to be favored by neither politicians nor the people, as written by both Gil Hoffman and the editorial editor in the Frontlines of December 5 (“Guide for the politically perplexed” and “Silver living”).They have tried to help us solve the tangle with the two articles, but we have to solve this ourselves by reading the possibilities. The answers will be in many newspapers to come; that is how the papers make a living! Slowly, slowly we will conclude the answers and hope for the best, and have been advised to count one’s blessings. Meanwhile, we have until March 17 if we are lucky!HILARY GATOFFHerzliya PituahA serious riskSir, – Your editorial (“Silver lining,” December 5), severely criticizes the proposed “Jewish State” legislation. It also expresses support for the powers of the Supreme Court. While I have no special expertise in legal matters, it seems to me that unless the fact that the State of Israel is enshrined in a basic law as the Jewish State, the Supreme Court, particularly in its present format with a clear leftwing bias, could, at some stage decree that the Law of Return is discriminatory against those Arabs citizens whose families originally lived in Israel.To my mind, this is a risk, bearing in mind the frequent legal protestations made by our Palestinian neighbors. Israel, as a Jewish State enshrined by law would prevent this and there is no reason whatsoever that full democracy cannot continue to be observed with all civic rights being equal for all Israeli citizens, Jews and non-Jews alike.MONTY M. ZION Tel MondSoftly drapedSir, – For long readers have noted a bit of bias in hardworking Jerusalem Post journalist Greer Fay Cashman’s reports, articles and somewhat liberal-drooping, softly- draped Grapevine column. But it would be a great reminder to reprint her peerless former coverage of our fashion industry.Stitching ideology on her sleeve replaced former reviews of locally- made leatherwear, bathing suits and far more of which she is a matchless commentator who knows fabrics, color, line, style, wearability, suitability and affordability to the nth degree.Instead of some barely cloaked needling, may Ms. Cashman again strut her extraordinary writing talent on our creative design runway.ESTER ZEITLINJerusalem
if(catID != 151){
var cont = `Take Israel home with the new Jerusalem Post Store
