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Rush to judgment With regard to “Kahlon apologizes to Shapiro after Oren criticizes Obama’s policy on Israel in op-ed” (June 18), Kulanu MK Michael Oren is a fine historian, and his new book should be judged on the only relevant basis – whether it is historically factual or not.This has not prevented a tidal wave of American responses from grandees such as Secretary of State John Kerry to Ambassador to Israel Dan Shapiro, none of whom apparently has bothered to read the book, but won’t let that stand in the way of their disgusting efforts to besmirch Oren.I have not seen one bit of evidence from those sources that disproves Oren’s detailed and entirely persuasive claims. If Shapiro believes that Oren’s version “does not reflect the truth,” let him prove it rather than just assert it.However, the rush to apologize by Finance Minister and Kulanu party head Moshe Kahlon demonstrates a level of intellectual dishonesty, as well as a spinelessness that defies credulity. To date – and to his credit – it appears that only Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has resisted the rush to judgment.HARVEY LITHWICKMeitarI find it most curious that US Ambassador Dan Shapiro is quoted as having said: “I can say, as an ambassador, that sometimes ambassadors have a very limited view of the conversations between the leaders, and [former Israeli ambassador to the US Michael Oren’s] description does not reflect the truth about what happened.”Ambassador Shapiro fails to explain to us why we should believe that his version reflects the truth of what happened if he, as an ambassador, could also have a “very limited view of the conversations” between leaders.Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote that “foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds,” but one would expect an American ambassador to apply the same yardstick in assessing what he knows, as well as what the former Israeli ambassador knows.BARRY EISENBERGJerusalemSupermarket woes Concerning “2,000 jobs in danger as Mega seeks a lifeline” (Business & Finance, June 18), poor or non-existent middle management is a criticism often leveled at Israeli businesses. Nowhere is this more evident than in our supermarkets, where an assortment of obstacles awaits hapless customers.Aisles are routinely blocked by workers who choose prime shopping times to fill up shelves. There are long and slow-moving queues, and a total lack of help from staff should advice be sought. Paying quickly at check-out is an absolute no-no as customers engage in fierce debate with the cashier over incorrectly priced articles, which involves even more waiting while the manager is called to settle the dispute.It is no wonder, then, that the continued existence of the Mega supermarket chain is in doubt.A visit to almost any supermarket in Britain by Mega managers would be an eye-opener and sobering lesson in how successful supermarkets operate.SUSAN ADDLEMANMevaseretZion Israeli gestures It is with absolute disgust that I write this letter in reply to the June 17 articles “IDF unveils series of gestures for Muslims to celebrate Ramadan on Temple Mount” and “Israel to allow some Hebron shops to reopen after 15 years of forced closure.”The shops in Hebron were closed due to security/terrorism issues.Already, Muslims have unprecedented access to the city’s Jewish holy site at the expense of Jews, the people with the most – perhaps even the only – historical and legal rights.With these latest moves, hundreds of terrorists (or whatever name you prefer) will be roaming our streets, all in the name of “easing” life for the “Palestinians.”What about our lives, which have been wrecked and ruined each time concessions are made? What slap on the wrist will Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu mete out after the next atrocity owing to his pathetic weakness? What about our rights to the Temple Mount, which Netanyahu is terrified of reinstating even though hundreds of soldiers died in the liberation of Jerusalem? How hollow sounds the cry, “The Temple Mount is in our hands.”The only people Netanyahu does not fear are his own because they do not riot, threaten or murder.And this is the prime minister of a sovereign state. A sick joke.The world can sit back and watch a country that was once proud and unafraid to fight for its rights, but now is totally lacking in faith of the justness of its cause.YENTEL JACOBSNetanyaI was pleased to read “IDF unveils series of gestures for Muslims to celebrate Ramadan on Temple Mount.” Freedom of movement and worship are basic human rights that must be provided to all law-abiding citizens, and these rights should be afforded to non-citizens as well, whenever practical.I hope that the Israeli government, the IDF and the Israel Police will find a way to provide these same basic human rights to Israel’s Jewish citizens, and allow them to attend prayer services on the Temple Mount on their holidays as well.DAVID NEUSTADTERNof AyalonThanks, Meretz! With regard to “Meretz labeling bill will make Palestinian workers suffer, factory owners in West Bank tell party leader Gal-On” (June 17), I welcome the bill. It will allow me to buy exclusively those products from Judea, Samaria and the Golan Heights. I surely will give these products priority, as will many, many other Israelis.Zehava Gal-On, thank you for this “free” service.SHLOMO FELDMANNGivatayimLet them die Concerning your June 17 article “Dispute over force-feeding continues,” hunger strikes were at one time the prime weapon of Irish terrorists incarcerated in British jails. It was Maggie Thatcher, one of the great British prime ministers of the 20th century – one of the few who actually made a difference – who had the guts to allow them to starve themselves to death.It is notable that after one prisoner died, and the earth didn’t implode. The practice stopped.This is the example we should follow. Force-feeding is not an option, nor should self-created martyrs be medically treated in any way. If they wish to die, let them die.STEPHEN COHENMa’aleh AdumimModel spokesman Your editorial of June 17 “Making the case” points out that, for once, the Israelis have produced a proper, timely statement to the media, this time in anticipation of the UN Human Rights Council report on last summer’s Gaza war. You add the hope that the Jewish state’s representatives might be more consistently effective.May I suggest that there is a ready model for such effective functioning in the form of Palestinian spokesman Saeb Erekat. He is consistently available and ready to offer a clear, succinct, emphatic, forthright and brief statement to the media in the properly indignant tone of voice.MOSHE KAPLANHerzliyaA ‘Post’ fan I was just in Israel on business (and visiting family) for five days.It’s always a pleasure to read the hard-copy edition of The Jerusalem Post.While I don’t agree always with the positioning, I find the paper always fair with its coverage and reasoned in its editorials. From the late 1960s, when my parents subscribed to the International Jerusalem Post, I’ve always looked to it as a vital report on the State of Israel.I like what you’ve done with the paper and enjoy especially the weekend edition.FARRELL E. MEISEL Indio,California
June 21: Thanks, Meretz!
Zehava Gal-On, thank you for this “free” service.
