Respect, supportSir, – MK Zahava Gal-On met with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas (“Abbas tells Meretz leader he will proceed with UN bid,” August 27).The fact that Gal-On agreed to meet with a man who has consistently refused to meet with our prime minister shows both a distinct lack of respect for Binyamin Netanyahu and an absence of support for him. As such her action should be roundly censured.DAVID S. ADDLEMANMevaseret ZionPirates, beware!Sir, – As a member of the registered Pirate Party of Israel I would like to bring to your attention that the people mentioned in “‘Pirates’ land in Israel, will inaugurate political party in Bat Yam” (August 27) are not official members of the Pirate Party of Israel, although the conference they are planning is a blessed independent initiative to promote ideas presented by the Pirate parties across the globe.Please clarify this to your readers so as not to spread false information, as if the conference will be admitting people to a registered party in Israel.NOAM KUZARJerusalemThe writer is spokesperson for Pirate Party IsraelLetters about lettersSir, – Raymond Cannon (“No Christian outcry,” Letters, August 27) wonders why Church leaders have not repudiated the outrageous remarks made by Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, in which he denied Jewish ties to Jerusalem. These remarks certainly strike a shattering blow to Christian theology.On reflection, though, it occurred to me that the damage to the Church’s fundamental tenets is, in fact, even greater than that put forward in the letter. If Jews were not around in Jerusalem at the time of Jesus, who, then, was responsible for killing him? Could the deed perhaps have been carried out by the Palestinians? This possibility poses a real headache for Church leaders.ROCHELLE VEEDERNetanyaSir, – Reader B. Yagil (“Physician, clean thyself!,” Letters, August 27) wonders how many physicians launder their ties. In fact, almost all doctors in Israel work tieless.I am reminded of the question so often asked of me: “What made you leave South Africa, where you had such a large and lucrative medical practice?” My standard reply to what I considered a stupid question was, “I do not like wearing ties.”MONTY M. ZIONTel MondThe writer is a retired cardiologistNot anti-SemitismSir, – Caroline B. Glick (“Israel faces a cynical world,” Column One, August 24) is mistaken by interpreting the ongoing legal-political discussion in Germany about circumcision as an expression of anti-Semitism.It is in fact about the rights of children to not be harmed unnecessarily and to have the right to decide about nonnecessary medical interventions – which circumcision certainly is in spite of its great potential health benefits – at an age in which they are able to give legally binding consent.That this insistence on children’s rights contravenes a very ancient Jewish religious law is a major collision of interests, and German politicians of practically all parties in the Bundestag are trying hard to find a viable solution.We Germans (at least the vast majority) are very aware that in all matters regarding Jewish life in today’s Germany there must be great sensitivity.Nonetheless, the no-harmimperative has a constitutionally binding character, because of which the recent verdict about the purported unlawfulness of circumcision practiced on male newborns cannot be taken lightly.There should be an acceptable compromise to deal with this collision of interests. The circumcision of newborns, no matter Jewish or Muslim, should be allowed if it fulfills three criteria: 1. Parents declare a special religious interest 2. The procedure is done, if not by a physician, then at least by a mohel (religious circumciser) who acts under medical supervision 3. The procedure is done with sufficient local anesthesia.It would be a great misfortune if Israeli people viewed the discussion of circumcision in Germany as an expression of a newly-risen anti-Semitism.This is certainly not the case, at least not with respect to the majority of Germans.MICHAEL SEEBEREssen, GermanyThe writer is a physician
August 29: The Bat Ayin boys
As we begin the new school year it’s incumbent upon the education system, in conjunction with parents, to teach tolerance and that we are all created in the image of God.
Respect, supportSir, – MK Zahava Gal-On met with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas (“Abbas tells Meretz leader he will proceed with UN bid,” August 27).The fact that Gal-On agreed to meet with a man who has consistently refused to meet with our prime minister shows both a distinct lack of respect for Binyamin Netanyahu and an absence of support for him. As such her action should be roundly censured.DAVID S. ADDLEMANMevaseret ZionPirates, beware!Sir, – As a member of the registered Pirate Party of Israel I would like to bring to your attention that the people mentioned in “‘Pirates’ land in Israel, will inaugurate political party in Bat Yam” (August 27) are not official members of the Pirate Party of Israel, although the conference they are planning is a blessed independent initiative to promote ideas presented by the Pirate parties across the globe.Please clarify this to your readers so as not to spread false information, as if the conference will be admitting people to a registered party in Israel.NOAM KUZARJerusalemThe writer is spokesperson for Pirate Party IsraelLetters about lettersSir, – Raymond Cannon (“No Christian outcry,” Letters, August 27) wonders why Church leaders have not repudiated the outrageous remarks made by Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, in which he denied Jewish ties to Jerusalem. These remarks certainly strike a shattering blow to Christian theology.On reflection, though, it occurred to me that the damage to the Church’s fundamental tenets is, in fact, even greater than that put forward in the letter. If Jews were not around in Jerusalem at the time of Jesus, who, then, was responsible for killing him? Could the deed perhaps have been carried out by the Palestinians? This possibility poses a real headache for Church leaders.ROCHELLE VEEDERNetanyaSir, – Reader B. Yagil (“Physician, clean thyself!,” Letters, August 27) wonders how many physicians launder their ties. In fact, almost all doctors in Israel work tieless.I am reminded of the question so often asked of me: “What made you leave South Africa, where you had such a large and lucrative medical practice?” My standard reply to what I considered a stupid question was, “I do not like wearing ties.”MONTY M. ZIONTel MondThe writer is a retired cardiologistNot anti-SemitismSir, – Caroline B. Glick (“Israel faces a cynical world,” Column One, August 24) is mistaken by interpreting the ongoing legal-political discussion in Germany about circumcision as an expression of anti-Semitism.It is in fact about the rights of children to not be harmed unnecessarily and to have the right to decide about nonnecessary medical interventions – which circumcision certainly is in spite of its great potential health benefits – at an age in which they are able to give legally binding consent.That this insistence on children’s rights contravenes a very ancient Jewish religious law is a major collision of interests, and German politicians of practically all parties in the Bundestag are trying hard to find a viable solution.We Germans (at least the vast majority) are very aware that in all matters regarding Jewish life in today’s Germany there must be great sensitivity.Nonetheless, the no-harmimperative has a constitutionally binding character, because of which the recent verdict about the purported unlawfulness of circumcision practiced on male newborns cannot be taken lightly.There should be an acceptable compromise to deal with this collision of interests. The circumcision of newborns, no matter Jewish or Muslim, should be allowed if it fulfills three criteria: 1. Parents declare a special religious interest 2. The procedure is done, if not by a physician, then at least by a mohel (religious circumciser) who acts under medical supervision 3. The procedure is done with sufficient local anesthesia.It would be a great misfortune if Israeli people viewed the discussion of circumcision in Germany as an expression of a newly-risen anti-Semitism.This is certainly not the case, at least not with respect to the majority of Germans.MICHAEL SEEBEREssen, GermanyThe writer is a physician