The chances for a Fatah electoral victory are now virtually nil, as by the time elections arrive its corruption will again be in full swing.
By JERUSALEM POST READERSDoesn’t bode well Sir, – Regarding “Haniyeh urges PLO to annul recognition of Israel” (May 1), the biggest blow to the future of the Palestinian state is the driving from office overnight of Prime Minister Salam Fayyad.Fayyad fought the crime and corruption of Fatah, dealt with the critical task of building government institutions and, no less important, dealt with the internal security situation. Sadly, the American, Jordanian and Israeli investments in the PA security forces can be written off.The chances for a Fatah electoral victory are now virtually nil, as by the time elections arrive its corruption will again be in full swing, internal security will be a disaster, and nation-building will have ground to a stop.One does not have to be a wizard to forecast the results.DAVID GOSHEN Kiryat OnoOverdue visit Sir, – I watched the whole magnificent royal wedding ceremony on television (“After the wedding... William goes back to work,” May 1), yet one item made me think. The famous hymn “Jerusalem” was sung, yet Her Majesty, now 85, has never seen this outstanding biblical city, which is of such interest to so many faiths.I am sure a visit to Jerusalem and Nazareth together with Prince Philip would do more to promote peace in this part of the world than the British Foreign Office or politicians ever could. It just does not make sense that these highly acclaimed and respected royals have omitted the land of the Bible from their travels.MICHAEL PLASKOW NetanyaWhat’s changed? Sir, – For once I must agree with Liat Collins (“Lessons from the Shoah,” My Word, May 1).Those of us who lived in the US, for example, never really internalized what was happening to the Jews in German-controlled Europe. We read about it and some of us sent packages when we could, but mostly it was hearsay and easily put on the back burner.Collins is absolutely right when she makes the point that today’s problems are nothing compared with what went on in German-controlled Europe. This is not to say it’s okay when Jews today are spat upon and even murdered, but it’s really not the same. Let’s keep that in mind.LEONARD ZURAKOV NetanyaSir, – I strongly disagree with Liat Collins, that the lessons from the Shoah are eroding from collective Jewish consciousness. Islam has taken over from Nazism as the ideology whose most impassioned objective is the violent elimination of the Jewish people.What is the most salient lesson after all? Namely that Jews must defend themselves against people who hate them and want to kill them. Jews must do this themselves because no one else will. This is as true today regarding Iran as it was in the days of Hitler.YONATAN SILVERMAN Tel AvivLost in translation Sir, – The essence of “Thou shalt not be colloquial” (Comment & Features, May 1) is that the King James version represents a historical high in the presentation of the Bible. It expresses the beautiful, language- laden certainty of the Christian position.Apparently lost to the writer is the fact that the meanings of the Hebrew scriptures are often totally lost when fixed in another language, and when they are preferentially tooled, they may make excellent poetry but present no equivalence to what was originally transmitted.As well, the King James Bible is not a benign memory for the Jews who suffered from the Christian persuasion that the Jews killed Christ. Not only is the belief false, but Christianity is insistently oblivious to the reality of what “Christ” meant in ancient Israel, and to the history of how its testament came into being. PESACH GOODLEY Telz StoneA good readSir, – “No partner” (April 29) was probably the most on-themark, poignant and relevant editorial I have read in The Jerusalem Post in the past 20 years. Thank you for finally accepting the fact that the Palestinian Authority, under Arafatdisciple Mahmoud Abbas, is not Israel’s partner for peace.Still, I yearn for the day when the Post also admits that the proposed two-state solution belongs in the waste bin of history. JOSH HASTEN Elazar Heal thyselves Sir, – As a stage-four cancer patient, I would like to share some thoughts about the doctors’ strike (“Doctors to resume sanctions after huge demo fails to budge Treasury,” April 29).Recently, there was a horrendous terrorist attack in Itamar. Some members of Knesset called for the death penalty, but there was widespread opposition.Who around here is actually being sentenced to death? It’s the innocent citizens who are being denied the medical treatment they need! The doctors have legitimate grievances, but is it ethical for them to go on strike, especially those who work in specialties like oncology? I was at my oncologist’s office before the strike and left stunned.I asked the oncologist what would happen if there was a strike and he said, “I won’t be here.”“What will I do?” I asked.“Go to the duty doctor,” he replied, referring to what are usually new, inexperienced physicians working shifts.“Will the duty doctor consult with you about my treatment?” I asked.“Not necessarily,” my oncologist answered curtly. “A strike is a strike. The treatment isn’t meant to be as good.”All I could say was that cancer doesn’t go on strike.It seems to me that instead of striking for higher wages, the doctors should come up with a creative solution to solve the problem. I have one idea – the government could put a high tax on junk food and funnel part of the money into the health care system, and another part to subsidize healthy foods. I have named this plan “Eretz Zavat Halav U’dvash” – a land flowing with milk and honey. Name withheld Petah TikvaSir, – I am a match to have my kidney transplanted into a 47- year-old Israeli mother of six.After six months of testing, the transplant was supposed to take place last week, but due to the strike it has been delayed.Besides affecting the health of the recipient, the strike is affecting me, too, as I had wanted to donate my kidney by early May, before my swimwear business gets busier.I hope the doctors and medical industry come to a conclusion quickly so that my recipient can be saved.MARCI RAPP Jerusalem Peace of strengthSir, – Your editorial “The gas supply we can no longer rely upon” (April 28) should have been titled “The Arabs we can no longer rely upon.”The Americans forced us to negotiate away the Sinai. Are they now going to place their soldiers along the gas pipeline to insure our supply? If Egypt recants its peace agreement with Israel, will the United States help us repossess the Sinai?There is a lesson in this: We no longer negotiate with Arabs. The Arabs cannot provide Israel with peace. Only a strong, proactive Israel can insure peace.CHAYIM SEIDEN Jerusalem Noisy dogs and teensSir, – Regarding “Keep quiet, longer! Ministry speaks up for reduced noise” (April 27), it’s good to know that steps are being taken to clamp down on noise.However, I am not sure what can be done about dogs barking or the youths who roam about shouting and smashing bottles during the night on the weekend. This gets worse once the school holidays start.This is all part of the noise pollution that is detrimental to our health.SALLY SHAW Kfar Saba
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