ROBERT ENGLMAN JerusalemSir, – Amnon Rubinstein and Yaniv Roznai are right to argue for changes to International Humanitarian Law so that people are held accountable for the use of human shields. However, I strongly doubt such people would be concerned.They are usually unidentifiable, and therefore unlikely to be brought to trial.I would advocate that the counteracting parties be allowed more freedom to respond.M. VEEDERNetanyaNot so bad offSir, – After reading the piece by the Norwegian ambassador to Israel (“Norway is pro-Palestinian – and pro-Israeli,” Comment & Features, August 18), I wonder whether The Jerusalem Post now regrets its recent apology.Now we know that Norway contributes “around 100 million euros a year to the Palestinian Territory....” Multiply that by the number of other Western countries helping to fund the PA and it is obvious that the Palestinians are doing pretty well.JACKIE ALTMANNetanyaDidn’t work thenSir, – Regarding “Goodwill gestures to PA may circumvent plans to unilaterally declare statehood, defense officials say” (August 17), how come such gestures did not work when we gave the Palestinians control over our holy sites, released their prisoners from jail, took down roadblocks, stopped the construction of Jewish homes and threw 10,000 Jews out of their homes and businesses? The list is endless.Our enemies know well that we lack the faith and courage to take the necessary steps to regain control of our sovereignty. What saddens me is that we have done this all by ourselves. No one did it to us.YENTEL JACOBSNetanyaSir, – On your front page we read the “Goodwill gestures to PA may circumvent plans to unilaterally declare statehood, defense officials say,” while on Page 2 we read “Abbas: We’ll seek recognition despite US, Israel opposition.”Although initially it appears totally ludicrous, it is an indication of a mind-set fraught with grave consequences.The officials who are proponents of goodwill gestures – despite their utter futility and Israel’s long, bitter experience – include Defense Minister Ehud Barak and Chief of General Staff Lt.-Gen. Benny Gantz. They are in favor of removing more checkpoints and the release of Fatah prisoners from Israeli jails. On whose side are they?ZEV CHAMUDOT Petah TikvaBo-ring!Sir, – I read with great interest Seth J. Frantzman’s “The boring Jewish state?” (Terra Incognita, August 17). Of course we are becoming boring! Hasn’t Frantzman noticed that nothing changes here and hasn’t for years? The inference is that only social issues (those promoted by the perfidious Left) attract intelligent people from overseas, while the fact that the majority of our visitors are either from the US Bible Belt or merely coming for the sea, sun and amazing night life is ignored.I spent 12 years arranging visits to this country for journalists and opinion-shapers. We showed them the land (precious to both Jews and Arabs) inside and outside the Green Line, warts and all. We did this while right-wing leaders were in power.At least 90% of the reporting was positive. If these visitors did not become Zionists, they at least went home with a greater understanding of the unique mosaic called the State of Israel.What Frantzman is essentially saying is that someone responsible for Israel’s image is not doing his job.ZELDA HARRISTel Aviv
August 21: Reality politics
Help or hindrance? Change the rules; Not so bad off; Didn’t work then; Bo-ring!
ROBERT ENGLMAN JerusalemSir, – Amnon Rubinstein and Yaniv Roznai are right to argue for changes to International Humanitarian Law so that people are held accountable for the use of human shields. However, I strongly doubt such people would be concerned.They are usually unidentifiable, and therefore unlikely to be brought to trial.I would advocate that the counteracting parties be allowed more freedom to respond.M. VEEDERNetanyaNot so bad offSir, – After reading the piece by the Norwegian ambassador to Israel (“Norway is pro-Palestinian – and pro-Israeli,” Comment & Features, August 18), I wonder whether The Jerusalem Post now regrets its recent apology.Now we know that Norway contributes “around 100 million euros a year to the Palestinian Territory....” Multiply that by the number of other Western countries helping to fund the PA and it is obvious that the Palestinians are doing pretty well.JACKIE ALTMANNetanyaDidn’t work thenSir, – Regarding “Goodwill gestures to PA may circumvent plans to unilaterally declare statehood, defense officials say” (August 17), how come such gestures did not work when we gave the Palestinians control over our holy sites, released their prisoners from jail, took down roadblocks, stopped the construction of Jewish homes and threw 10,000 Jews out of their homes and businesses? The list is endless.Our enemies know well that we lack the faith and courage to take the necessary steps to regain control of our sovereignty. What saddens me is that we have done this all by ourselves. No one did it to us.YENTEL JACOBSNetanyaSir, – On your front page we read the “Goodwill gestures to PA may circumvent plans to unilaterally declare statehood, defense officials say,” while on Page 2 we read “Abbas: We’ll seek recognition despite US, Israel opposition.”Although initially it appears totally ludicrous, it is an indication of a mind-set fraught with grave consequences.The officials who are proponents of goodwill gestures – despite their utter futility and Israel’s long, bitter experience – include Defense Minister Ehud Barak and Chief of General Staff Lt.-Gen. Benny Gantz. They are in favor of removing more checkpoints and the release of Fatah prisoners from Israeli jails. On whose side are they?ZEV CHAMUDOT Petah TikvaBo-ring!Sir, – I read with great interest Seth J. Frantzman’s “The boring Jewish state?” (Terra Incognita, August 17). Of course we are becoming boring! Hasn’t Frantzman noticed that nothing changes here and hasn’t for years? The inference is that only social issues (those promoted by the perfidious Left) attract intelligent people from overseas, while the fact that the majority of our visitors are either from the US Bible Belt or merely coming for the sea, sun and amazing night life is ignored.I spent 12 years arranging visits to this country for journalists and opinion-shapers. We showed them the land (precious to both Jews and Arabs) inside and outside the Green Line, warts and all. We did this while right-wing leaders were in power.At least 90% of the reporting was positive. If these visitors did not become Zionists, they at least went home with a greater understanding of the unique mosaic called the State of Israel.What Frantzman is essentially saying is that someone responsible for Israel’s image is not doing his job.ZELDA HARRISTel Aviv