As a resident of Ashkelon who actually experiences the attacks from Gaza rather than sitting comfortably in Jerusalem or Tel Aviv and reading about it over my morning coffee
By LETTERS TO THE EDITORLetters(photo credit: REUTERS)Feeling proud In light of the headline that appeared in your paper after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu demanded of France to step in (“Orange CEO: We’re in Israel to stay,” June 7), and after reading Caroline B. Glick’s “The new government’s war on BDS” (Column One, June 5), I’m beginning to feel proud of our government.Just as we do not tolerate a rocket here and a rocket there from Gaza, the same policy should be implemented in Israel’s PR efforts.Foreign diplomats should be given the names of NGOs sponsored by their government, and they should demand that this funding end. In this case, a good offense is the best defense.AVIGDOR BONCHEK JerusalemStand up and fight Regarding “Gaza rocket triggers sirens in Ashkelon area” (June 7), as a resident of Ashkelon who actually experiences the attacks from Gaza rather than sitting comfortably in Jerusalem or Tel Aviv and reading about it over my morning coffee, I would like to express my deep sense of frustration at the weakness with which our leaders, and particularly our military leaders, is responding.To read as I did last week, that the air force struck four Hamas bases that had already been evacuated during the time gap between the triggering attack and our actual response, is truly appalling. If the level of response that we can offer leaves so large a gap, then what chance have we to survive when, God forbid, a real war breaks out? Are we back in 1973? Will we see thousands of Israelis killed because our military leaders are so cock-sure of themselves that they will again be assuring us of our safety even as the enemy is in the air crossing our borders? If the air force doesn’t have squadrons of fighters ready to scramble within minutes to respond to any attack, then we face a very bleak future indeed.What I need is to come out from my safe room after the sirens stop, and hear the jets and helicopters going overhead to pound the enemy – not a day later, but within minutes – and for them to be hitting where they are not expected. Instead, we seem to be content sending out messages saying, “Naughty, naughty, if you do that again, we will be really be cross!” That’s not the way to deal with unruly children, and it’s certainly not the way to deal with deadly enemies.If the generals are not prepared to stand up and fight for us, then let them at least have the guts to tell us so we can find true leaders.LOLA KAYE AshkelonThat’s news? Regard the front-page photo “Tel Aviv style” (June 7), with all the important news going on in the world today, what do you print on the first page? A picture of a man getting his body decorated at a tattooing convention.This is important news? I can understand if you print such a picture on an inside page, but I don’t consider something so non-newsworthy on your front page.HANNAH SONDHELM JerusalemI was shocked to see that The Jerusalem Post would so blatantly encourage tattooing, which is a specific Torah violation. And right after Shabbat, no less!BATYA LEVINSON JerusalemSpot on! Kudos are in order for your pithy editorial “Marriage scandal” (June 5). As the Brits would say, it was spot on! I must, however, take exception to the closing paragraph, which ascribes to the founding fathers of democracy the lesson that combining religion and politics corrupts both. Long before them, a Talmudic sage, Shemaya, counseled: “Hate public office [alternately, detest authority]” (Ethics of the Fathers, 1:10). Commentators note that Shemaya wisely points out that combining religion with politics can only lead to disastrous outcomes.This is why a “religious political party” is a perfect example of an oxymoron, and the politicization of the Chief Rabbinate is abhorrent.The scandal you speak of is a foregone conclusion.MICHAEL D. HIRSCH Kochav YairRajoub’s photo op Kol hakavod to Lior Akerman for “Free PR for Rajoub?” (Observations, June 5).Jibril Rajoub, who was aptly called some years ago “a thug in a suit,” has made the most of his swinging-door career. He was put in jail “for life,” then deported to Lebanon (what a “short life” that was!), and then returned to the West Bank and placed in charge of Palestinian security (!). Now, as president of the Palestinian Football Association, he is starring in a photo op together with Israel Football Association head Ofer Eini to celebrate the removal of Rajoub’s threat to have Israeli soccer banned from FIFA for “racism.”Where are the voices of disgust, the outcries of criticism? Nothing, except that Israel seems to be happy to have settled this little problem peacefully and shaken a hand of friendship with Rajoub.How wonderful.Why is Jibril Rajoub still a free man? He was once jailed “for life.”They should have thrown away the key.FREDI KADDAR Bitan AharonPaper is patientOne reason I am a subscriber to The Jerusalem Post is your very informative Arts & Entertainment section. Thus, I was very disappointed to find this rubbish about a narcissistic male transforming himself into a narcissistic female (“‘Call me Caitlyn’: Bruce Jenner reveals new name in ‘Vanity Fair,’” June 3).My mother used to say: “Paper is patient.”RUTH SCHUELER JerusalemOne people, two states The cat has finally been let out of the bag by Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, who was quoted in “Jordan and PA clash over FIFA debacle” (June 3) as saying that “Jordan and Palestine are one people in two states.”Israel should ask clearly why the Palestinians are the only people with two states. Why do they need to impinge on our state when their leader agrees that they have one already? It is called Jordan.MICHAEL WILSCHANSKI ElazarAt last, a true word from the “president” of a non-existant state! To the UN, the US, the EU and others, please note that all the wars, terror, murderous incitement and anti-Semitism is to achieve a second Palestinian state in the Middle East.What people in all of history has ever had two states? Why now? Why here? Can it even be justified?GEORGE WEIL Herzliya PituahAn anthem for allI wonder if now isn’t an appropriate and practical time for an international anthem, an effort led by the world’s youth and young people.With young people having an ever greater say in world affairs, especially about Planet Earth – which isn’t just the province of adults – it seems an international anthem (it would not replace national anthems or mention specific countries) could help foster understanding and combat racism, hatred and prejudice, and even, perhaps, show older people a way ahead.Maybe the Eurovision Song Contest, youth orchestras and organizations for peace around the world could play a major role.A song for all seasons, reasons and peoples. From the North and South, to the East and West, the voices of youth are heard loud and strong! There are some who say it is an impossible idea in today’s uncertain world. But what’s that about communicating and communication through music?STAN MARKS Melbourne, Australia
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