J.Post September 29: Nothing But Certainty!

Sir, - I was totally dismayed by the odious headline that appeared on the front page of the Jerusalem Post on September 24th. The headline read "SWAT team kills suspected murderers of the three teens." The gratuitous injection of the adjective 'suspected' places an immediate appalling question mark concerning the legitimacy of the activity by introducing an unfortunate, ever so slight implication of uncertainty into the action. 

In fact, the massive intelligence gathered by the Shin Bet, the IDF, and the Counterterrorism Unit during the three months of intensive search for these terrorist abominations, provided the certainty that eliminated any and all doubt as to the identity of these murderous kidnappers.

Only the unequivocal assertion by IDF Chief of Staff Benny Gantz expressing the hope that the families of the victims got some little relief "in the knowledge that we got to the murderers of their sons" was appropriate to the circumstances, and the only assertion that could provide these very deserving people with the ability to state that "an evil circle has closed."

ZEV CHAMUDOT

Petach Tikva 

The racist attacks by against the IDF

Sir, - James Adler of Cambridge, Mass. has apparently chosen to abandon his persistent simplistic mantra of solely blaming Israel (because of what he terms the "occupation") for all the ills of the Middle East. He now expands his virulent anti-Israel doctrine by descending into the slime of pernicious accusations of Israel's indifference to the spilling of innocent blood as well as racial bigotry relating to the war in Gaza.

If it is at all possible for Adler to cleanse his glasses from the accumulated muck, I would like to acquaint him with reality by means of a number of well-documented facts.

It is Hamas that has in its manifesto the call to annihilate the state of Israel, and periodically attempts to do so. The lengthy underground tunnels they have dug from Gaza that extend into several civilian communities in Israel have no purpose other than mass murder and kidnappings. The thousands of rockets fired into Israel were designed to cause massive civilian casualties, and would have if not for divine providence and brilliant defense technology. All this despite the fact that Gaza has not been occupied since 2005, when Israel unilaterally withdrew.

Israel's desire not to harm innocents has been well proven by the warnings of imminent attacks supplied to the civilians of Gaza, and the military orders to avoid civilian casualties even though doing so often places the lives of Israeli soldiers in jeopardy. The morality of the IDF is second to none!

IDF delegation to India, 2001

Adler's references to the "brown" color of the victims, and his less than subtle accusation that color is a factor in Israel's military conduct, is nothing less than a disgusting attempt at barely veiled anti-semitism. 

Would it please Adler to learn that a goodly proportion of Israel's fallen soldiers and officers were of Ethiopian, Yemenite, Iraqi and Moroccan origin, and that Israel is one of the few places that enjoys a true ingathering of the exiles from every region in the world?

Evidently, Cambridge is not completely free of bigots.

ZEV CHAMUDOT

Petach Tikva

[Image credit: Israel Defense Forces]

Jerusalem Post July 30: Pray for the IDF, not instead of it!

Sir, - Rabbi Shalom Cohen, the successor of Rabbi Ovadia Yosef as the spiritual leader of Shas, has demonstrated a grievous lack of sensitivity, a gross ingratitude, and an offensively mistaken appreciation of Jewish priorities when asserting that "Israel doesn't need an army because prayers protect it." 

At a time when tens of families are crying over the loss of those most dear to them, and when almost the entire people of Israel are united in sharing their heartbreak for the fallen precious fathers, sons, and brothers – all members of the IDF, who gave their lives in order to defend us from annihilation – , Rabbi Cohen, instead of issuing some message of comfort and hope chooses to make a declaration that offends us all.

While praying is of extreme importance at all times, happy and sad, Jewish history bears no record of their being sufficient in themselves, neither for warding off evil nor in Heaven's appreciation. The great European centers of Torah and piety were obliterated despite the oceans of tears and the myriads of fervent prayers. When the Bible confronts the Israelites with an attack by Amalek, Moses orders Joshua to choose men to go out to do battle. He does not suggest that they pray or sit and learn.

As a spiritual leader, Rabbi Cohen should indeed be praying by leading prayers of Hallel and Thanksgiving to the Almighty for the miracles He has wrought for us through the agency of the IDF's valiant soldiers and its brilliant technology.

ZEV CHAMUDOT

Petach Tikva

[Image credit: Youtube, Israel Defense Forces]

With No Apologies: Why J.Post's Headline is Misleading

Sir, - The headline on the front page of the Jerusalem Post of March 12, stated in bold large letters "Israel apologizes for killing of Jordanian at Allenby crossing." A careful reading of the news story that follows quite clearly exposes the headline as being grossly misleading. As such it can easily cause a great deal of misunderstanding that is often followed by negative and unfortunate consequences. This danger is compounded and becomes far more treacherous when the headline appears on the front page.

The text of the news story relates that the Prime Mister's Office, in an effort to reduce the tensions with Jordan over the killing of Raed Za'eiter, issued a statement expressing regret over his death. The statement, in addition to expressing Israel's sympathies to the people and government of Jordan, further tells that Israel has already shared with Jordan the results of its preliminary investigation and even agreed to Jordan's request to establish a joint Israel-Jordanian team to complete the investigation.

The commonly accepted meaning of the word Apology is the expression of regret for a wrong that you have committed. Indeed, we are informed that Israel did express regret over the death of the young man, but it did not by way of word or deed convey the notion that his death was wrongfully brought about by Israel. On the contrary, the reported results of the investigation conducted by the IDF indicated that the shooting took place after the victim shouted "Allahu Akbar" and charged at the soldiers and attempted to snatch a rifle. Under the circumstances and a sane sense of justice, it is Israel that should be demanding an apology from Jordan!

ZEV CHAMUDOT

Petach Tikva

Haredim Fighting the Draft

Sir,  - The unsightly scene captured by the photograph on your front page showing ultra-Orthodox men protesting outside a military prison is in reality depicting a phenomenon far more ugly and perilous than appears at a first glance. In fact your underlined caption "Fighting the Draft"  that appears beneath the picture is itself quite misleading.

A deeper understanding of what is taking place can be found in the sign that appears in the center of the photograph and reads "It is better to die than to enlist in the Zionist apostasy army." This frenetic fringe group is without either hesitation or subtlety, publicly declaring their opposition not only to the drafting into the army but opposition to the army itself. For them the army is 'apostasy' and 'impure' and it expresses a complete detachment that forbids entrance into its satanic and sinful clutches under any circumstances be they benign or enforced. The army for them is tarfus and they proclaim their willingness to die rather than being part of it.

Unfortunately, the above extreme fanaticism, while it is being expressed by a minority of Haredim, is a reflection of a more widely held attitude that views the entire Zionist enterprise, including the establishment of the State of Israel and all of its institutions, as illegitimate. The only hope of altering their position would be the (admittedly unlikely) condemnation and reeducation of this group by the respected sages of the Haredi world.

In the meantime. they will continue to desecrate God's name and invite the growing resentment of most Israelis, secular and religious, who are able to see and appreciate the Divine Hand that was responsible for the miracles involved in the establishment of Israel and its glorious army.

ZEV CHAMUDOT

Petach Tikva

[Image credit: Nir Hason]

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J.Post April 1: Israeli Goodwill Gestures to the PA -- The Real Folly

Sir, - In 'The folly at Givat Ze'ev' (March 26) Amnon Rubinstein used his keen intelligence and legal knowledge to question the wisdom of expanding Jewish construction at this site, because doing so would antagonize our most important allies.

However, we have learned that our most vital ally, the US, is pressuring Israel to allow 700 PA security personnel to be deployed in Jenin; and for Israel to transfer sophisticated night vision goggles to the PA, in addition to allowing their receipt of 25 armored personnel carriers from Russia ('Israel mulls PA deployment of soldiers in Hebron, Tulkarm,' March 31).

Defense Minister Barak has openly acknowledged that Israeli lives and property might be endangered.

The unfortunate but factual history of several similar past gestures by Israel to the same PA is of such materiel being used in the maiming and killing of Israelis. These unrequited gestures are therefore completely unacceptable; and if Israel makes them it will be acting not merely in folly, but with criminal irresponsibility.

ZEV CHAMUDOT

Petah Tikva

[Image credit: Wikimedia user Ori~]

J.Post March 7: IDF and Hamas -- A Purim Paradox

Sir, - 'Olmert says IDF will halt operations if Hamas does' (March 6) made me realize how rapidly Purim is approaching, with its associations of pretense and escape from reality. 'I'll stop it if he does' can work to resolve a quarrel between children. Unfortunately, however, Israel is at war against an implacable terrorist enemy ideologically committed to its destruction, and so it cannot, dare not, go down this inappropriate path.

The Purim Megillah describes the antagonist's purpose as to 'kill, slay, and cause to perish' all Jewish young and old. The story does end with joy and happiness for the Jews, but only after Haman and his sons are hanged and all others who sought to harm to the Jews are totally defeated.

ZEV CHAMUDOT

Petah Tikva

[Image credit: nate steiner]

J.Post December 1: Cruelty in the IDF -- Cause and Effect?

Sir, - Larry Derfner correctly describes the cruel and humiliating treatment of Arabs at various checkpoints by some IDF soldiers. Derfner, however, further portrays the perpetrators of these acts as having entered the IDF as sensitive and well brought up kids from Givatayim.

Let us consider the following: Is marriage the cause of wife-beating and child abuse? Is the school the cause of violence and assaults on teachers? Are the roads the cause of the criminally reckless driving that is responsible for so much pain and death?

Are those soldiers who witnessed these terrible acts and remained silent out of fear of being labeled as 'bleeding hearts' to be considered innocents?

The common denominator is the unfortunate fact that those committing these acts started out cruel and sadistic and gave expression to their misanthropy when the opportunity presented itself. Let us unite in utter condemnation of these despicable acts and demand that appropriate punishment be meted out.

Let us be most profoundly concerned as to why our society is producing so much violent and negative behavior, and let us by no means make use of this concern in order to gain political points.

ZEV CHAMUDOT
Petah Tikva