Iran talksWith regard to “Kerry: We are close, but we will not ‘shave margins’ to clinch Iran deal” (July 6), I believe it is commendable that the P5+1 is attempting to achieve a deal that would prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons. Yet daily, more and better experts are deeply critical of the expected deal; indeed, many non-Israeli pundits predict that while the agreement would certainly not endanger the US or the EU, it could mean the end for Israel.Most western nations deny that their nationals took part in the Holocaust despite vast documentation proving that far too- many non-German Europeans actively and happily participated in the massacre of the continent’s Jews. When this corrupt agreement results in another Holocaust – this time of Israel’s Jewish population – at history will have a signed document that proves the perfidy and depravity of western leaders and their direct responsibility for the genocide of Israeli Jews.This is a bad agreement for the US, the EU and mankind, but far more importantly, it is a death warrant for Israel.KENNETH BESIG Kiryat ArbaGood for US Secretary of State John Kerry and President Barack Obama for saying they won’t “shave” at the margins. Why should anyone doubt them? The amount of time the negotiations have been taking proves they are being careful.If Iran wants a bomb (which it denies), then except for Obama’s and the West’s talks, nobody can give a good reason why it wouldn’t get one.
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And nobody can give a good reason why a war would fail to conflagrate the Middle East, destroy Iran’s comparative moderates and create ultra-Ahmadinejads with renewed determination.The West and Iran know that war isn’t a bargaining chip.Wanting a deal isn’t optimism; it is pessimism and realism. If anything can stop a bomb – in the real, instead of rosy-colored, world – only the West’s and Obama’s talks can.Alternatives, please? JAMES ADLER Cambridge, Massachusetts Hardly newsI note that CNN has published a list warning of the impending destruction of the Old City of Jerusalem, among other places (“CNN: Dome of the Rock on verge of extinction,” July 6). It includes on this list the Roman city of Pompeii.For a news channel, I would have thought CNN might be a little more up to date, since Pompeii was destroyed 1,936 years ago.STANLEY COHEN Jerusalem On throwing stones In your July 6 issue, you published two articles on the same page. One, “MKs on Left and Right slam Ghattas for calling Binyamin Brigade commander ‘murderer,’” dealt with the reprimand meted out to an IDF officer who shot a 17-year-old Arab man who was trying to kill him with rocks.The commander was justified: He killed a man who was out to kill him. He ought to be decorated for ridding the world of a terrorist.The other article, “Haredim arrested for throwing rocks at cars on Shabbat,” dealt with “ultra-Orthodox” men whose rocks hit the car of an Arab woman, smashing her windshield and injuring her. If these men were sincere in their faith and not just hiding behind it, they would know that desecrating the Sabbath by throwing rocks is in itself a desecration.These men deserve to be imprisoned, for we have learned that rocks can indeed be lethal weapons.There should be no leniency shown just because their aim was not good enough to actually kill someone. Yet.No leniency, no excuses. Just the same jail time given to other criminals.MARCELLA WACHTEL Jerusalem In regard to the article “Haredim arrested for throwing rocks at cars on Shabbat,” I want to say that I don’t consider these men to be ultra-Orthodox, as you refer to them.In my opinion, ultra-Orthodox Jews would not be picking up rocks on Shabbat and throwing them at other people and their vehicles. This is definitely not Shabbosdik behavior.HANNAH SONDHELM JerusalemJustice and gas Caroline B. Glick’s very informative “Israel’s populist energy crisis” (Column One, July 3) clarifies the main issues of how best to utilize and develop our natural gas resources and maintain an honest balance in the division of profits.Israel has long needed reliable sources of energy, but also companies with the skills and capacities to successfully find and extract them. In 2006, the US firm Noble Energy entered into an exploration contract with the government that included the Leviathan and Tamar gas fields. Noble signed the contract and agreed to pay all royalties and taxes, and in return received the rights to any energy resources it found.The participation of Noble was crucial. Soon, Delek and several smaller firms joined in.The natural gas was located in an area that made it very difficult to extract. Without the capabilities and experience of Noble Energy, it would have been impossible. The company invested $140 million in exploration and is investing another $4 billion to transport the gas to Israel’s shores for processing.Instead of celebrating when it became clear that substantial amounts of natural gas had been found, protesters and government officials began looking for ways to annul the contracts and claim a much larger share of the profits. When we needed expert help, the companies were there for us. Their hard-won success was rewarded with annulled contracts and new, retroactive laws that greatly reduced their potential profits. We even had protest marches claiming the government was being too generous.No one here seems to have objected or even noticed that this is morally wrong. However, a great many people around the world have noticed. As a result, Israel in now considered one of the worst places in the world to do business. Are we on a campaign to make everyone hate us? Our Torah teaches us to be honest and just, and to keep promises. Why don’t we do that now? LENORE LEVIN Netanya Eliminating debate Concerning “Spreading pride” (Editorial, July 2), the US. Supreme Court’s approval of same-sex marriage ignited a dangerous precedent by overruling states’ rights, while stamping its vision of social engineering onto American society.A further consequence is probable restrictions on religious freedom.Business-owners with bakeries or florist shops, and county clerks and congregational leaders who refuse to recognize same-sex marriage for religious purposes are likely to be targeted by the government and far-left groups.Meanwhile, LGBT support groups and the social media are unjustly labeling those who disagree with the ruling as being homophobes and intolerant.As the definition of marriage rages on in America, the Supreme Court has regrettably eliminated the debate from its citizens.ANTHONY P. LEVATINO Rochester, New YorkThe P-wordThe Jerusalem Post is guilty of the most anti-Israel views by calling Arabs the P-word. They are Arabs.Palestine was our country before we changed the name to Israel – and we didn’t do this so you could refer to the Arabs with the P-word. Find another name for them. Maybe The New York Times and other newspapers will start using the name you come up with.I have books and things from many years ago from my parents’ house that say “Made in Palestine,” and it means they were made by Jews.SANDY KESTENBAUM Jerusalem CLARIFICATION“IDF shortens men’s service time from 36 to 32 months” (July 7) was co-written by Shana Medel.
