Wrong about Davis Sir, – I have read the one-sided column by Isi Leibler (“The de- Zionization of Anglo Jewry,” Candidly Speaking, November 25), which was very critical of the British Jewish leadership, and particularly of Mick Davis, chairman of the United Jewish Israel Appeal.During my term as chairman of the Jewish Agency, I had the privilege of getting to know Davis very well and to observe up close his activities for the UK Jewish community and the State of Israel. Every time I approached him for assistance, he unhesitatingly and generously responded.Every year, members of the Jewish community in the UK increase their contributions to the State of Israel; their massive assistance and investment in the Galilee has particularly borne fruit.During the Second Lebanon War, not only did Davis and his colleagues raise huge sums of money for Israel, but he personally came to visit in order to assess the needs of citizens living under a hail of rockets. He and others met repeatedly with the prime minister and senior ministers, and his commitment to and passion for Israel were obvious. I was present at some of these meetings and his persistence and unlimited goodwill, as well as his willingness to provide assistance in every way, were plain to see.Over and above this, every time unpleasant vibrations toward Israel by the British government were heard (which unfortunately still occurs on a regular basis), Davis would meet with the foreign minister of Britain and other relevant statesmen in order to promote Israel’s right to defend itself.In spite of his onerous and hectic schedule as a successful businessman, he always finds time to promote and support Israel. Recently he expanded his activities together with other European leaders to promote Israel’s interests in Europe and to ensure that Israel’s voice is heard loud and clear.I have spent most of my life dealing with Zionism, aliya and promoting Israel-Diaspora ties. I have met and gotten to know most of the world’s Jewish leaders, and it is my most fervent wish for the State of Israel and world Jewry to be blessed with more who are of the caliber, modesty, generosity and vision of Mick Davis.ZE’EV BIELSKI Ra’ananaThe writer is a Kadima MK
November 30: They say it themselves
Fatah doesn’t want peace, or even a “piece” of Israel. They want to be rid of us altogether. So why are we negotiating with them?
Wrong about Davis Sir, – I have read the one-sided column by Isi Leibler (“The de- Zionization of Anglo Jewry,” Candidly Speaking, November 25), which was very critical of the British Jewish leadership, and particularly of Mick Davis, chairman of the United Jewish Israel Appeal.During my term as chairman of the Jewish Agency, I had the privilege of getting to know Davis very well and to observe up close his activities for the UK Jewish community and the State of Israel. Every time I approached him for assistance, he unhesitatingly and generously responded.Every year, members of the Jewish community in the UK increase their contributions to the State of Israel; their massive assistance and investment in the Galilee has particularly borne fruit.During the Second Lebanon War, not only did Davis and his colleagues raise huge sums of money for Israel, but he personally came to visit in order to assess the needs of citizens living under a hail of rockets. He and others met repeatedly with the prime minister and senior ministers, and his commitment to and passion for Israel were obvious. I was present at some of these meetings and his persistence and unlimited goodwill, as well as his willingness to provide assistance in every way, were plain to see.Over and above this, every time unpleasant vibrations toward Israel by the British government were heard (which unfortunately still occurs on a regular basis), Davis would meet with the foreign minister of Britain and other relevant statesmen in order to promote Israel’s right to defend itself.In spite of his onerous and hectic schedule as a successful businessman, he always finds time to promote and support Israel. Recently he expanded his activities together with other European leaders to promote Israel’s interests in Europe and to ensure that Israel’s voice is heard loud and clear.I have spent most of my life dealing with Zionism, aliya and promoting Israel-Diaspora ties. I have met and gotten to know most of the world’s Jewish leaders, and it is my most fervent wish for the State of Israel and world Jewry to be blessed with more who are of the caliber, modesty, generosity and vision of Mick Davis.ZE’EV BIELSKI Ra’ananaThe writer is a Kadima MK