May 28: Wolf ahead

Our leaders should remember the actions of Obama, not his words.

By JPOST READERS
Wolf ahead
Sir, – I read your articles on President Obama and how he is trying to ingratiate himself with American Jews, whom he obviously is courting for the next congressional election ("PM expected to get warm Washington welcome form Obama next week” and “Obamas to host first White House reception marking Jewish Heritage Month tomorrow,” May 27). The only thing I can think of is “beware the wolf in sheep’s clothing.”
Our leaders should remember the actions of Obama, not his words. His rhetoric is just that – his actions speak louder.
We react as if we are guilty that we won the war in 1967. Is it our fault that we were fortunate to defend ourselves, with the help of Hashem, to defeat our enemies who to this day are still trying to destroy us? The only thing that has changed is their tactics.
It is our obligation to support our leaders to stay strong and not give in to Obama, nor to outrageous Palestinian demands.
    VEL WERBLOWSKY     Jerusalem
Brown-bagging it
Sir, – So, Obama has invited Netanyahu to White House. Let’s hope that this time Bibi takes along some sandwiches.
    SOL UNSDORFER     London
Let’s live together
Sir, – News that the Hebrew University professors and students were demonstrating for Arabs in the Sheikh Jarrah quarter is most deplorable.
What is called Sheikh Jarrah by the Arabs is called Shimon Hatzadik by Jews. The facts is that Jews have legitimately bought homes in an area where Arabs live. This should be hailed by all who profess support of democracy and living together amicably.
There is absolutely no reason why living together in this neighborhood is any different from living together in French Hill, which is certainly very close to the university’s Mount Scopus campus, or, for that matter, walking, talking and learning together at the university itself.
If such protests remain the cardinal principle of Hebrew University academics and students, then there is absolutely no hope for peace in this remarkable land.
    H. WILLIG    Jerusalem
The question’s not ‘where’...
Sir, – Michael Freund asks “Where is God?” (May 27) and explains that he is not asking why God is not helping us, but why the leaders of Israel do not include God in the equation of concern and preparedness.
With all due respect to this pious appeal to humility before the Almighty, the question is naive in the face of Jewish history and the history of the State of Israel. Are the children who were herded into shelters in the recent national drill guilty of ignoring God? Does God expect them to fear Him at this moment of national peril? God has not helped since the splitting of the sea, or since the 15 years granted to King Hezekiah when he turned to the wall and prayed.
God threatens not only the absence of His help, but dire chastisement, including blood-curdling torture and suffering for the sins of Israel.
More appropriate than Freund's call for calling upon God is God's reply to Moses at the sea: “Ma titzak elei (Why are you screaming to Me?). Tell the children of Israel to go, travel, save themselves.”
God helps those who help themselves, not those who mention Him when things are bad.
    JACOB CHINITZ    Jerusalem
...but if at all
Sir, – Michael Freund asks where God is in our public discourse. The answer is that God is where He should be – behind the unfolding events of the relations between the nations. Maybe if the nations agreed to exclude God-talk from public discourse there would less animosity originating from the question: “Whose God is most fair?”
God in public discourse cannot but foster “a battle of Gods” at the expense of active and honest work for justice and world peace. Relations between the nations are human – all too human!
    PROF. JOSEPH DAVID    Jerusalem
We can help, too
Sir, – Rebecca Anna Stoil’s “‘Schalit bill,’ aimed at toughening conditions for Hamas prisoners, passes major hurdle“ (May 24) reports well the Israeli government’s unanimous vote on proposed legislation denying Hamas prisoners the wide privileges they receive today in Israeli prisons, like family visits and higher education.
The bill is supported by Knesset consensus including the opposition, expressing actual Israeli public opinion.
The majority of the public, while deeply sympathizing with the Schalitfamily, understands that Hamas’ demands are unacceptable. That’s whythere’s a grass-roots effort to pressure Hamas for Schalit’s releaseand an immediate improvement of his conditions.
A global petition against Hamas has been revived. The petition, signedso far by 90,000 people from around the world, demands that Hamasleaders be brought to trial for war crimes (e.g., the crime of keepingSchalit incommunicado in inhumane conditions). It can be read andsigned at www.takeapen.org.
    ENDRE MOZES
    Chairman, Take-A-Pen
    Haifa