Jerusalem Post Letters to the Editor: The lone wolf

One wonders which of the two best reflects the reality in Sussiya.

By LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Letters (photo credit: REUTERS)
Letters
(photo credit: REUTERS)
The lone wolf
Yossi Melman wants to know how to stop a terrorist operating on his own (“How to stop a lone wolf,” Analysis, July 18). The answer? You have to be winning a war, not losing it, so that the lone wolf sees he is on the losing side.
Commentator Alexis Brezet wrote in Le Figaro after last week’s terror attack in Nice: “Merah, Charlie, Bataclan, Magnanville and now Nice. How long before our eyes are opened? How many wild attacks, indiscriminate massacres before our leaders admit that Islamist fanaticism has initiated a fight to the death against our country and our civilization? We are at war!” After much procrastination, the words are now on everyone’s lips: “To arms, citizens!” we shout lustily. But really, who believes it? Our weapons are those of peace candles, hashtags, processions and subtleties of our Code of Criminal Procedure.
MLADEN ANDRIJASEVIC Beersheba
Incongruousness
In the first paragraph of “Shabbat in a Palestinian village” (July 18), the writer describes the participants in the program as follows: “Clad in long skirts and white shirts, they could have been praying in a religious settlement.”
The dilemma is that the accompanying photo presents a totally different picture. Yes, there are one or two long skirts, but overall, upon closer inspection, the photo and the article are blatantly incongruous.
One wonders which of the two best reflects the reality in Sussiya.
NORMAN M. MESKIN Jerusalem
Win-win (Woof!)
While I applaud Shifra Hoffman’s idea that more people should have dogs for protection (“Terrorist victims’ group demands canine protection,” July 18), I disagree that the only suitable dogs are highly trained, expensive, police-style dogs that require specialized handling. I also disagree that the government should provide these dogs to people at the taxpayer’s expense.
Our dog shelters are overflowing.
A great many of the dogs are perfectly suited for both companionship and protection. Dogs are social creatures that protect their families; treat a dog as a member of your family and you will have a life-long friend and protector. The average citizen doesn’t need a police dog, nor is he or she trained to handle one.
I suggest that Ms. Hoffman join forces with the many no-kill shelters in Jerusalem and all over Israel to initiate a crowd-funding program or apply for a grant to obtain money that can be used to offset training costs (and perhaps also for food and medical costs, as the elderly and low-income families might find such expenses prohibitive). She should also invest her energy in drafting legislation that allows the presence of dogs in public spaces such as stores and restaurants, and prohibits landlords from refusing to rent to people with dogs.
In these ways, the costs are reduced, everyone can have a dog, and every dog can have a home. Win-win.
SARAH WILLIAMS Jerusalem
Save a mother’s life
In “London family rallies Jews globally to save mother’s life” (July 18), why does reporter Tamara Zieve not say where one can be tested, and why is Sharon Berger’s blood type not given? I was put on a list over 20 years ago. Am I still there? Give us more information so this woman can get help!
M. SCHAEFFER Jerusalem
Tamara Zieve responds: The match is based on tissue type, so giving Ms. Berger’s blood type wouldn’t be of help. Joining the bone marrow registry is the only way find out if you are a match.
To join the registry, healthy Israelis between the ages of 18 and 50 can make an appointment with Ezer Mizion in Petah Tikva or with Hadassah Medical Center in Jerusalem via their websites (https://ezermizion.org/ and http://www.hadassah.org.il/ medical-care/departments, respectively). Residents of the UK can join the register via the Anthony Nolan charity (https:// www.anthonynolan.org). Others can help by seeking out the bone marrow registry in their country.
To find the nearest place in the world to donate stem cells, visit www.bmdw.org, which is a global database of lifesaving stem cell donors.
Anyone who previously joined a registry remains until the age of 60. Those who change their residence or other data regarding ways to contact them are encouraged to update their details with the registry.
‘Aliya’ for migrants
 With regard to “Israel to relax rules for foreign hi-tech workers” (Business & Finance, July 15), I was very distressed to learn that in his capacity as economy minister, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is planning the “aliya” of migrant workers and their families to satisfy the hi-tech industry’s thirst for cheap labor.
If there truly is a shortage of software coders, there are complete sectors of our population that are perfectly suited for this type of employment, and with proper training would make an excellent long-term investment.
Normally, one would expect grassroots resistance from hi-tech employees to such a move, but I suspect that many would not want to risk their employment prospects. And let’s not ignore the effect this would have on the already soaring price of apartment rentals.
SARA EVERITT Bnei Re’em
Binary options
For many weeks, I have waited for signs of indignation and shame regarding the binary options scandal that seems to involve Israeli companies.
What happened to making the world a better place, and Israel a light unto the nations? It is cruel, unfeeling people who would take others’ life savings with such glee and greed. Isn’t anyone doing anything to make these actions criminal? Why is it acceptable to cheat clients overseas, but not Israelis? Why are these people not arrested and jailed like the criminals they are? Where are the moral business people who obviously know what is going on? Their silence is deafening and shameful.
The world already has little respect for Israel. Please, Mr.
Prime Minister, settle down after your travels and involve yourself in making this practice illegal.
MYRA LEVIN Ashkelon
Oogla boogla!
The political campaigning under way in the US, with promises galore (something known to happen here in Israel, too), reminds me of a story of the candidate who went to speak to native Americans on their reservation.
The meeting hall was full. The candidate began speaking and, at the first promise he made, all of those present clapped their hands and screamed “Oogla boogla!” The candidate wasn’t expecting such enthusiasm, so he began adding promises going way beyond those he had been prepared to give, and at each promise, the native Americans clapped their hands and screamed “Oogla Boogla!” When he ended his speech, he said to the tribal chief that it would be good publicity for the candidate to be photographed astride the chief’s horse, wearing his feather headdress. The chief agreed and said: “Come to the corral, where my horse is.”
At the corral, the chief said to the candidate: “Go into the corral, walk to the far side where my white horse is, and bring him here. After we help you sit on the horse, I’ll give you my headdress and you can be photographed.”
The happy candidate opened the gate and began heading for the far side when the chief called out: “Be careful! Don’t step into all of the oogla boogla! You’ll never get the smell off!” Whenever I read of a politician promising something, I say to myself: Oogla boogla!
YOSEF TUCKER Jerusalem