It is unfathomable why Obama has persuaded Netanyahu to wait so long that the cost in lives spent on this mission will be so high.
By JERUSALEM POST READERSLetters 370(photo credit: REUTERS/Handout )
Iran’s nuclear driveSir, – With regard to “PM: Iran has set 7,000 new centrifuges spinning since presidential election” (August 8), US President Barack Obama has succeeded in delaying any response to the Iranians’ mad rush to produce an atomic weapon, now making it almost an impossible mission to impede them. What could have been done three years ago cannot be done now.It is unfathomable why Obama has persuaded Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu to wait so long that the cost in lives spent on this mission will be so high.There was so much talk three years ago about Israel undertaking such a mission to help save the world, and nothing came of it. There have been constant visits here by US military higher-ups to try to coordinate action against Iran, and nothing has come of it. The delay has cost the world its freedom of action, and now the US will have to understand that it will be dealing not only with Russia and China, but also with Iran.No wonder Saudi Arabia is frantic with anxiety, and no wonder Netanyahu must rue the day he listened to Obama.BATYA KOENIGSBERG JerusalemWomen of the WallSir, – After reading “Women of the Wall kept far from Kotel – yet again” (August 8), I respectfully request some clarification.I thought that these women would be left alone following the April ruling by the Jerusalem District Court, which stated that women should be permitted to pray according to their own customs. And I thought they would be left alone since they were huddled, not in women’s section at the Kotel, as per agreement with police, but far away from there.Apparently, there were people at the Kotel who chose to use microphones and whistles, in addition to heckling. In reality, it was the people who shouted and blew whistles who disturbed the peace. How come the police did not help maintain the sanctity and honor of the Western Wall?LORRAINE SKUPSKYJerusalemSir, – It is abundantly clear that Jerusalem police, probably acting in collusion with haredi municipal officials, are doing everything in their power to make it nearly impossible for the Women of the Wall to pray according to their customs in close proximity to the Western Wall, as is their stated intention.The heckling and whistling by the haredim who were present is just further proof that the ultra-Orthodox community in Israel is out of control and will go to any length to protect its medieval, misogynistic way of life.The government must begin to show some spine on this issue or there is going to be a conflagration. Nobody has the right to tell someone else how to observe his or her faith.MITCHELL RADOV Ashdot Ya’acovThe peace processSir, – Reader Smoky Simon (“Face the facts,” Letters, August 8) repeats facts known to any student of the Middle East in lauding David M. Weinberg’s excellent article (“Only if Israel gives a bit more...,” Comment & Features, August 2).The problem is, all these facts are disputed by our adversaries and even “friends.” Students of history know that the devil is in the details and that few historians agree on “facts.”It’s time for Israel’s government to stop kowtowing to Western leaders and exhibit the backbone that has enabled us to endure millennia of anti- Semitism. Israel will only win (there is no win-win solution available) by exhibiting strength, not the lack of selfrespect shown by our government’s unreciprocated “good will” gestures.STEVE KRAMER Alfei MenasheSir, – It is outrageous that the Palestinians would make the release of terrorists a pre-condition for coming to the negotiating table. It is outrageous that the US would encourage Israel to agree to this pre-condition without giving a second thought to releasing Jonathan Pollard. And it is the utmost act of submission that our government said yes.If this is where the talks start, can you imagine the next demand the Palestinians will make just to keep them going? The time to stand our ground is now so that we no longer have to deal with irrational demands.BILL WEBER JerusalemSir, – With regard to “Over 50% of Palestinians back peace talks, survey finds” (August 7), upon reflection, to them the peace process is simply a continuum of Yasser Arafat’s “phased plan” of the early 1970s.At the time, Arafat recognized two facts: The “armed struggle” was rapidly becoming limited and the possibility of destroying Israel would need a revised strategy. The latter was to take the form of so-called diplomacy, with the intent of gaining territory in a piecemeal fashion.Kudos to The Jerusalem Post for publishing quality responses (reporter Herb Keinon and columnists Barry Rubin, Sarah Honig and Martin Sherman) to the disgraceful decision to release the worst terrorists for the “privilege” of talking to the Palestinians. Recognition is also given to the Post for publishing left-wing views, if only to demonstrate the vacuousness of their arguments.ALEX ROSE AshkelonFear, apprehensionSir, – The very word “negotiation” implies concessions on all sides so that no one walks away with everything. A synonym for one-sided concessions is capitulation.Palestinian bellicosity and obstinacy do not augur well for a successful, fair and balanced outcome. In fact, this could be a preface to more and more demands on us for concessions.In the 44 years since I became an Israeli citizen and continuous resident, I never had the slightest doubt of our ability as a nation to withstand all the assaults thrown against us, and to overcome. Today, however, for the very first time I stand apprehensive, for we have a prime minister who has gone from being a realist to a dove.The last time we experienced this was with Ariel Sharon, whose legacy is a Gaza Strip that has become Hamastan.My apprehensions are predicated on the fear that Binyamin Netanyahu will be incapable of saying no to US President Barack Obama, Secretary of State John Kerry, special envoy Martin Indyk, the EU or the UN.RICHARD JACOBS HaifaSir, – For the first time since the founding of the state I’m frightened.Somehow, with all the odds stacked against us in 1967, I was not frightened. Even during the Yom Kippur War I knew we would come out on top because of our famous “Gen.Ein Breira” (Gen. No Choice) and the miracles with which we are blessed.Like many Israelis, I don’t like or trust US President Barack Obama, even if he funds our military arsenal. And in his second term, many of us have become even more concerned.And now, after all the time Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu stood firm against the pre-conditions of Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, nobody has any idea why he capitulated and agreed to release terrorists.Too many of us are frightened by all the “maybes.” Almost no Israeli believes Obama has our back and that America will stop Iran from achieving a nuclear capability. Too many respected journalists and commentators are suggesting it’s time for our prime minister to stand down.These are not our first peace talks, but this time I’m really scared. A treaty between us and a Palestinian leader who doesn’t really speak for all Palestinians will not resolve the problems of Iran, Syria, Egypt, Libya, Yemen, Hezbollah, al-Qaida and others.Where is Gen. Ein Breira?RUSSELL GADDIN Modi’in
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