LESLIE PORTNOY NetanyaDo something already Sir, – I don’t get it. Each time Iran advances its nuclear program, Israel and the US announce that it is “unacceptable.”And each time nothing more is done about it (“Iran begins fueling Bushehr nuclear reactor,” August 22).What is the point of making pronouncements when one is not prepared to back them up? The writing is on the wall: If Israel does not take it on itself to destroy Iran’s nuclear reactors, Iran will develop nukes and use them against Israel. The only issue is whether Israel acts now, before the nukes are in place, or after the first one lands on Tel Aviv.Yes, the world will be more compassionate if you choose the latter, but will it matter?ABE KRIEGER Highland Park, New JerseySir, – A loyal American humbly suggests that Israel not take the US government’s word that Iran is not yet a nuclear threat to Israel. Not only is America not looking out for Israel’s best interests, it is barely looking out for its own.Any student of history knows to take tyrants and fanatics at their word – when they promise something spectacular, they always do their best to deliver.Israel has been among the most forbearing of nations for the last few generations, but forbearance has its limits. Do not wait for history to prove itself all too predictable in its awfulness.SCOTT SALVATO New YorkNew ghetto tenant Sir, – Thank you for the feature about Venice and its ghetto (“Making a splash with Venice’s Jewish past,” August 22).Having just returned from there, I wish to inform readers that the old age home the writer referred to is no longer in existence. The building now houses Giardino del Ghetto, a kosher boutique hotel.ELLIE MORRIS AsseretFinest hour missed Sir, – With Pakistan at the mercy of Mother Nature (“World Bank to earmark $900 million of Pakistan loans to aid flood relief,” August 18), the world of Islam is resoundingly silent, shopping as usual in luxurious malls or building new ones. The aid flotillas are still heading for Gaza, but rescue for Pakistan is coming, as usual, from the hated West.UN Secretary-General Ban Ki moon is begging the nations of the world to give generously, with funds falling far short of needs. From the Muslim world there’s only a deafening silence – no marches, no demonstrations, no outpourings of solidarity.This could have been Islam’s finest hour. Instead, Muslims should now all cringe in shame.FREDA KEET Herzliya/JerusalemWishing long life Sir, – Regarding the August 18 article on human trafficking (“Zuaretz: Time to make impact at UN in other ways”), we definitely have to be more aggressive at the United Nations on matters of this type, and let them know about all we are doing.Thanks to MK Orit Zuaretz and her committee, Israel might get some positive mention there – if we live long enough.MIRIAM JAFFE Jerusalem
August 25: Problem lies elsewhere
If “the train was built to serve everyone,” then we must have equal access to all cars.
LESLIE PORTNOY NetanyaDo something already Sir, – I don’t get it. Each time Iran advances its nuclear program, Israel and the US announce that it is “unacceptable.”And each time nothing more is done about it (“Iran begins fueling Bushehr nuclear reactor,” August 22).What is the point of making pronouncements when one is not prepared to back them up? The writing is on the wall: If Israel does not take it on itself to destroy Iran’s nuclear reactors, Iran will develop nukes and use them against Israel. The only issue is whether Israel acts now, before the nukes are in place, or after the first one lands on Tel Aviv.Yes, the world will be more compassionate if you choose the latter, but will it matter?ABE KRIEGER Highland Park, New JerseySir, – A loyal American humbly suggests that Israel not take the US government’s word that Iran is not yet a nuclear threat to Israel. Not only is America not looking out for Israel’s best interests, it is barely looking out for its own.Any student of history knows to take tyrants and fanatics at their word – when they promise something spectacular, they always do their best to deliver.Israel has been among the most forbearing of nations for the last few generations, but forbearance has its limits. Do not wait for history to prove itself all too predictable in its awfulness.SCOTT SALVATO New YorkNew ghetto tenant Sir, – Thank you for the feature about Venice and its ghetto (“Making a splash with Venice’s Jewish past,” August 22).Having just returned from there, I wish to inform readers that the old age home the writer referred to is no longer in existence. The building now houses Giardino del Ghetto, a kosher boutique hotel.ELLIE MORRIS AsseretFinest hour missed Sir, – With Pakistan at the mercy of Mother Nature (“World Bank to earmark $900 million of Pakistan loans to aid flood relief,” August 18), the world of Islam is resoundingly silent, shopping as usual in luxurious malls or building new ones. The aid flotillas are still heading for Gaza, but rescue for Pakistan is coming, as usual, from the hated West.UN Secretary-General Ban Ki moon is begging the nations of the world to give generously, with funds falling far short of needs. From the Muslim world there’s only a deafening silence – no marches, no demonstrations, no outpourings of solidarity.This could have been Islam’s finest hour. Instead, Muslims should now all cringe in shame.FREDA KEET Herzliya/JerusalemWishing long life Sir, – Regarding the August 18 article on human trafficking (“Zuaretz: Time to make impact at UN in other ways”), we definitely have to be more aggressive at the United Nations on matters of this type, and let them know about all we are doing.Thanks to MK Orit Zuaretz and her committee, Israel might get some positive mention there – if we live long enough.MIRIAM JAFFE Jerusalem