J.Post October 11: J Street and the Common Denominator

Sir, - Alan Eisner, vice president for communications at J Street, categorically informs us that the "unbreakable bond" between Israel and the United States is in danger of erosion if the "occupation continues." ('No chance Netanyahu, Obama will heal their rift, says J Street,' October 7.) He clearly and unconditionally blames the "occupation" for being the root of all evils, believing its end will usher forth the final redemption. Unfortunately, the J Street spokesman is not only sightless but seems to display a witless naivete about the realities that comprise the complex geopolitical, religious, and social tensions that find their expression in this region of the world.

I challenge Mr. Eisner to relate or find any causal connection between the following news events that were published in The Jerusalem Post on the same day as the appearance of his J Street wizardry, and his theory of "occupation":   'Thousands of refugees in Jordan return to Syria' (Page 7); 'NATO rejects Russian excuse on Turkish air space,' '15 soldiers dead in Aden attacks on gov't targets,' 'Car bomb attacks kill 57 people in Iraq' (Page 8); 'Boko Haram terrorists kill 11 Chadian troops,' 'Pro-Russian Ukraine rebels postpone vote' (Page 9); 'Forces seize M-16 used by Hamas to kill Henkins' (Page 10).

The common denominator for all these events, Mr.Eisner, is not "occupation" but an Islam that has been kidnapped by ruthless murderers who share a culture of death and aggressively force their savagery on the thousands killed in the Twin Towers in the United States, on 250,000 innocents killed in Syria, and the death of the cherished Henkins in Israel.

ZEV CHAMUDOT

Petach Tikva

[Image credit: 

The Slow Beheading of Jonathan Pollard

The shocking news that the US government website has erased the 2015 date for the release of Jonathan Pollard portends a most dreadful outcome to this terribly tragic affair, and compels us all to review its long history, in the hope that it can awaken the need for a concerted effort to call for his immediate release.

A sobering discussion revolving around Natan Sharansky's lengthy imprisonment and his ability to maintain hope during his ordeal took place more than a year ago in Jerusalem. The participants included Jewish Agency Chairman Natan Sharansky, Jerusalem Post Editor in Chief Steven Linde, and two very well known Americans, Dr. Mahmet Oz and Rabbi Shmuel Boteach. During the question period, the inevitable query arose about the adamant refusal by the Americans to release Jonathan Pollard after being imprisoned for almost three decades. Not one of the four participants was able to offer a logical or convincing argument to help understand this refusal and none were able to offer any suggestion as to how to help facilitate his release. On the contrary, Rabbi Boteach, who visited Pollard in prison and lobbied for his release, expressed his solemn belief that the Americans wanted Jonathan to die there!

The news that Jonathan Pollard's health has now so deteriorated that he required hospitalization comes as no surprise considering his long imprisonment, several years of which were spent in solitary confinement. At this critical juncture, it seems absolutely vital not only for Jonathan, but also for the many fair-minded and decent people all over the world who have tried unsuccessfully to penetrate the iron wall of mystery that surrounds his incarceration, to be provided with some rational accounting for this lengthy, cruel, and unusual prison term. Up to the present, no such explanation has been forthcoming, and in its absence, the question as to why Pollard has been singled out for this exceptional treatment naturally invites a wide spectrum of theories and accusations, including those of overt discrimination and thinly veiled anti-Semitism. This latter charge has recently been made by no less a personage than former CIA director Woolsey, who noted that others convicted of spying for allies of the U.S. have received sentences of no longer than eight years, while Pollard still languishes in prison.

The extraordinarily harsh life sentence imposed on Pollard leaves the indelible impression of having been born in sin. A plea bargain which was accepted by the government, commuting his sentence to only ten years in prison, was effectively abrogated when then Secretary of Defense Caspar Weinberger submitted a secret affidavit purportedly containing charges of such severity that they warranted the life sentence. The details of that affidavit have never been revealed to the public and therefore continue to raise suspicions about the merit of its contents.

Pollard's imprisonment played a prominent role in the 1998 Wye River negotiations when Bill Clinton, in order to obtain Netanyahu's agreement, made a commitment to release Pollard. This in fact was the 'deal-maker' that won over a reluctant Netanyahu, who agreed to the deal despite distrusting Arafat for his long history of agreement violations. But ultimately Clinton, citing opposition from public officials, never honored his promise. After President Obama's unequivocal rejection of Prime Minister Netanyahu's request for Pollard's release made at the start of the peace negotiations between Israel and the P.A. – despite its obvious legitimacy at the time when America was pressuring Israel to release hundreds of convicted terrorist murderers to the Palestinian Authority – seriously increased our perplexity.

It must be noted that Pollard never sought to betray the U.S. or bring harm to any of its institutions. His only crime was wanting to aid Israel by supplying it with information he felt was vital to its security and yet being withheld from it. He transferred the pick of U.S. intelligence on Arab and Islamic military activity conducted by both "friendly and unfriendly" Arab countries. The data included essential details about Syrian, Iraqi, Libyan, and Iranian nuclear, chemical, and biological-warfare capabilities, as well as planned terrorist attacks against Israel.

The list of prominent personalities who now declare their support for the release of Jonathan Pollard includes statesmen, Noble Laureates, clergymen, intellectuals, scientists, senators, congressmen, and members of the Intelligence community, some of whom originally opposed his release. The register begins with two former Secretaries of State (Kissinger and Schultz) followed by former Vice President Don Quayle, Senator John McCaine, Dennis Ross, former Director of the CIA James Woolsey; Director of the FBI at the time of Pollard's arrest William Webster; former Assistant Secretary of Defense Lawrence Korb; former Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence at the time of Pollard's arrest Senator David Durenberger; former White House Counsel Bernard Nussbaum; and former Deputy Attorney General Philip Heyman – the last three of which reviewed the classified intelligence reports on Pollard's case and nevertheless chose to add their names to those who call for Pollard's release. PM Binyamin Netanyahu and President Shimon Peres have made personal appeals. They were joined by Israel's two Chief Rabbis and by an overwhelming majority of Israel's Parliament. They were joined by the vote of the umbrella group representing the 50 largest American Jewish organizations that added the voice of American Jewry to those who seek Pollard's freedom.

When considering the evident crescendo of support in favor of freedom for Pollard, we are confronted by a September 2011 report in the New York Times that is totally vexing. We are informed about a meeting between Vice President Joe Biden and a group of rabbis in south Florida. When the rabbis raised the question about possible clemency for Jonathan Pollard, the Vice President's vehement response was "Over my dead body"! And indeed Pollard continues to languish in prison!

A fresh wind blew into the picture in December 2013 when Governor Bill Richardson, a former UN Ambassador and a confidant of Pres. Obama, wrote to the president and suggested that Pollard should be freed immediately. Richardson stated, "In my view there is no longer a need for a discussion today. Virtually everyone who was in a high position of government and dealt with the ramifications of what Pollard did at the time now supports his release."

Pollard's immediate release was also recommended in a letter to President Obama by former National Security Advisor Bud McFarlane, who unequivocally blamed Weinberger's "anti-Israel agenda" for Pollard's disproportionate sentence and called it a "great injustice." Similarly, former Assistant Secretary of Defense Lawrence Korb stated that the sentence was entirely due to Weinberger's "visceral hatred of Israel."

The pathological animus that surrounds the Pollard affair is evidently still potent enough to keep him in prison and to contribute to his slow beheading!

J.Post May 29: American Jewish organizations divest from J Street

Sir, – Susan Hattis Rolef (“The crisis in Israel-American Jewry relations,” Think About It, May 26) complains that J Street was not accepted for membership by the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations.

She insidiously implies that the vote was somehow controlled by the inclinations of Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu. She also makes the unsubstantiated claim that the rejection “does not represent what a majority of American Jews feels,” but fails to mention that J Street’s application was rejected by an overwhelming majority of the conference’s membership, all of which are American organizations.

The correctness and wisdom of the decision unfortunately escapes Ms. Rolef, who fails to appreciate the difference between the expression of variant views and their translation into deeds, like the encouragement of BDS activities or the lobbying of Congress against increasing sanctions on Iran. You cannot be “pro-Israel” and at the same time support programs that are clearly injurious to its well-being and security.

Much of her concerns would disappear rather quickly if Israel were to receive millions of American olim, who could then participate in totally free and democratic elections and thus influence change in the direction that suits her.

ZEV CHAMUDOT 

Petah Tikva

[Image credit: Flickr user Takver]

Why the Case of Jonathan Pollard is a Murder Mystery

Sir - The news that Jonathan Pollard's health has now so deteriorated that he requires hospitalization comes as no surprise when considering his 29 year imprisonment, several years of which were spent in solitary confinement. At this critical juncture, it seems absolutely vital not only for Jonathan, but also for the many fair-minded and decent people all over the world who have tried unsuccessfully to penetrate the iron wall of mystery that surrounds his incarceration, to be provided with some rational accounting and understanding for this lengthy, cruel, and unusual imprisonment. Up to the present, no such explanation has been forthcoming and we are all left feeling utter frustration and helplessness in regard to this enormously tragic affair. Pollard is still languishing in prison, while the mystery remains a mystery.

The absence of an intelligible understanding as to why Pollard has been singled out for this exceptional treatment naturally invites a wide spectrum of theories and accusations, including those of overt discrimination and thinly veiled antisemitism. This latter charge has recently been made by no less a personage than former CIA director James Woolsey, who noted that others convicted of spying for allies of the U.S. have received sentences of no longer than eight years.

President Obama's unequivocal rejection of Prime Minister Netanyahu's request for Pollard's release made at the start of recent peace negotiations -- despite its obvious legitimacy at the time when America was pressuring Israel to release hundreds of convicted terrorist murderers to the Palestinian Authority -- leaves us all completely perplexed. The mystery continues!

The extraordinarily harsh life sentence imposed on Pollard leaves the indelible impression of having been born in sin. A plea bargain agreed to by the government for a maximum sentence of 10 years was completely disregarded when the then Secretary of Defense Caspar Weinberger submitted a secret document purportedly containing charges of such severity that warranted this maximum sentence. This rather outlandish sequence emerges as even more bizarre due to the fact that neither Pollard nor his attorney were ever given access to this document or were able to learn of its contents. This type of behavior in a court of law not only does violence to the most basic principles of justice but is normally found only in the most totalitarian of societies.

Pollard's imprisonment played a prominent role in the 1998 Wye River negotiations when Bill Clinton, in order to obtain Netanyahu's agreement, made a commitment to release Pollard. This in fact was the deal-maker that won over a reluctant Netanyahu, who agreed to the deal despite distrusting Arafat for his long history of agreement violations. After the signing, however, Clinton did not honor his promise because he claimed there was opposition from public officials. This concern was notably non-apparent at the end of Clinton's adminstration, when with seeming alacrity he granted pardons to well-known criminals, some of whom until the pardon were barred from entry into the United States.

The list of prominent personalities that now declare their support for the release of Jonathan Pollard include statesmen, Noble Laureates, clergymen, intellectuals, scientists, senators, congressmen, and members of the Intelligence community, some of whom originally opposed his release. The register begins with two former Secretaries of State (Kissinger and Schultz) followed by former Vice President Don Quayle, Senator John McCaine, Dennis Ross, former Director of the CIA James Woolsey; Director of the FBI at the time of Pollard's arrest William Webster; former Assistant Secretary of Defense Lawrence Korb; former Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence at the time of Pollard's arrest Senator David Durenberger; former White House Counsel Bernard Nussbaum; and former Deputy Attorney General Philip Heyman -- the last three of which reviewed the classified intelligence reports on Pollard's case and nevertheless chose to add their names to those who call for Pollard's release.

PM Binyamin Netanyahu and President Shimon Peres have made personal appeals for Pollard's release. They were joined by Israel's two Chief Rabbis and by an overwhelming majority of Israel's Parliament. And if Israeli Jewry isn't enough, the American Jewish umbrella group representing 50 national Jewish organizations under the title The Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations has added the voice of American Jewry to those who seek Pollard's freedom.

When considering the evident crescendo of support in favor of freedom for Jonathan Pollard, we are confronted by a report in the New York Times of September 2011 that leaves us completely dumbfounded. We are informed of a meeting between Vice President Joe Biden and a group of rabbis in south Florida. When the rabbis raised the question of possible clemency for Jonathan Pollard, the VP's vehement response was, infamously, "Over my dead body!"

Skip to December 2013. A fresh wind blew into the picture when Governor Bill Richardson, a former UN ambassador and a confidant of Pres. Obama, wrote to the president and recommended Pollard be freed immediately. Richardson stated, "In my view there is no longer a need for a discussion today. Virtually everyone who was in a high position of government and dealt with the ramifications of what Pollard did at the time - now supports his release."

Shortly before Richardson's letter, there was a very sobering panel discussion that took place at the Jerusalem Press Club. The participants consisted of Jewish Agency Chairman Natan Sharansky, Jerusalem Post editor Steven Linde, and two very well known Americans, Dr. Mahmet Oz and Rabbi Shmuley Boteach. The discussion revolved around Sharansky's imprisonment in the Soviet Union and his ability to maintain hope during his long ordeal. During the question period, the inevitable query arose about the Americans' adamant refusal to release Pollard after 29 years. Not one of the four participants was able to offer a logical or convincing argument to help comprehend this refusal, and none were able to offer any suggestion as to how to help facilitate his release. On the contrary: Rabbi Boteach, who visited Pollard in prison and lobbied for his release, expressed his solemn belief that America wants Jonathan to die there!

The mystery of Jonathan Pollard, my friends, is not one of espionage -- it is one of murder!

Zev Chamudot

Petach Tikvah

The Kerry Treachery

Sir, - It is becoming increasingly evident that John Kerry has abdicated his role as an 'honest broker' in the negotiations between Israel and the PA. To the adjectives obsessive and messianic that Defense Minister Yaalon has already used to describe him, we must now unfortunately add treacherous in order to properly identify his diplomatic casuistry.  

The shocking statement reported on the front page of the Jerusalem Post wherein Kerry is quoted as saying that "it is a mistake to demand that the Palestinians recognize Israel as a Jewish state" is the equivalent of a dagger being thrust into the very heart of the negotiations. It is a repugnant betrayal of Prime Minister Netanyahu who has made this the very fulcrum and primary condition of his agreement to enter into the negotiations, and this was made absolutely clear to the Americans. In fact until a short while ago, it was leaked to the media that the Americans backed this very basic and most elementary demand. The goal of the negotiations could only be reached if each side of the negotiations announced the complete end of hostilities and recognize the national rights of the other. This is not only completely logical and legitimate, but it places the absence of its acceptance into the realm of the bizarre and absurd and serves to render the negotiations a total mockery.

Kerry's perfidy, however, does not stop with Netanyahu; it also does violence to the entire peace negotiations. Kerry not only labels the demand 'a mistake' but by doing so he automatically grants legitimacy to Abbas' adamant refusal to recognize Israel as a Jewish state. He then proceeds to offer justification for this refusal based on the very tenuous arguments that the US and Arafat have already done so. Surely the Sec. of State should be wise enough to ask the simple question: Why then is Abbas so determined in his

refusal to do so? Shouldn't Gaza be cut off from the PA because of Hamas' publicly declared statements, backed by lethal rockets, which call for the continuous armed struggle against the Zionist entity?

The ugly truth that emerges is the fact that Abbas' intransigence, now supported by Kerry, will result in a halt to the negotiations, but instead of placing the onus where it belongs both Kerry and Obama find it more comfortable to blame Israel. In light of this reality, will Kerry still insist that Israel release the last batch of terrorist butchers into the loving arms of Abbas?

Finally, if Netanyahu's demand is labeled as a mistake, how would Kerry characterize the repulsive pressure brought on Israel for the obscene release of unrepentant murderers as a Palestinian precondition to the start of talks?

ZEV CHAMUDOT

Petach Tikva

[Image credit: Flickr user cliff1066]

J.Post September 12: Obama Exploits Pro-Israel Lobby for Syria Strike

Sir, – Despite the developments surrounding Russia’s proposal that Syria give up its chemical weapons, Israel is being forcefully thrust into the eye of a brewing storm surrounding a congressional vote on an American military strike (“Pro-Israel groups in the United States scramble to save Syria strike resolution,” September 10).

Despite the fact that our political and security officials have stated unequivocally that it is of vital importance for Israel not to be involved in this bloodstained internecine conflict, their wishes have been brazenly violated.

Both US President Barack Obama and Secretary of State John Kerry have made public statements declaring that one of the prime reasons for striking Syria is the defense of Israel.

This is an absolute falsehood, which ignores the fact that Israel is not a party to this war, nor does it favor one ignoble side over the other.

Israel does not require or seek outside protection in this fight, and the use of its name to gain congressional votes merely serves to drain any real humanitarian content from what should be an authentic effort to end the brutal slaughter of innocent civilians.

[Of course, if and when a strike does take place it would undoubtedly invite serious reactions from a number of pro-Assad sources, several of whom (Iran, Hezbollah, Syria) have already declared their avowed intention of targeting Israel irrespective of its non-involvement.] The European Union, the United Nations and Russia have each declared their rejection of the Obama program, thereby leaving the American president alone with only the pro-Israel lobbyists. Since “limited” actions tend to grow into larger, even regional, conflagrations – and even into world wars – the obvious villains will be Israel and the Jews.

ZEV CHAMUDOT
Petah Tikva

[Image credit: David Illif]

J.Post August 13: Releasing Terrorists -- U.S. Hypocrisy Taken to the Extreme

Sir, - Living as I do in the reality of Israel's precariously fragile security situation, I must admit to being nonplussed when reading the statement "the move angered the U.S. government." What was the move that incurred the wrath of the United States? It was the fact that Mexico released a drug lord that was behind the 1985 killing of a DEA agent.

As a good citizen who tries to act with the guidance of a moral compass, I ordinarily would have felt a sense of outrage at this betrayal of justice. After all, this villain was responsible for the death of a US law enforcement official, and the fact that he has spent 28 years in prison should not and does not absolve him of the guilt for his heinous crime.

However, I am acutely aware and completely heartbroken by the pressure brought to bear on Israel by the United States for the release of 104 terrorist murderers of innocent civilian women and children, and therefore I remain completely unmoved by the discomfort concerning the Mexican druglord.

It is time that the U.S. government and the spineless Israeli leadership learned the infinite value of a single life... and the infinite evil of terrorism.

ZEV CHAMUDOT

Petach Tikva

[Image credit: Flickr user antefixus21]

J.Post April 8: Obama's Peace Offensive in Israel

Sir, - Martin Sherman remains peerless. The intelligent reader who seeks a deeper understanding of rapidly unfolding events beyond their superficial reportage, depends a great deal on the likes of Martin Sherman for an insightful glimpse into the depth of serious meaning that often lies hidden in the simple description of events. His article "Obama in Israel: The sinister subtext?" is a prime example of Sherman's gift of articulating that which many Israelis suspected after being overwhelmed by Obama's charm offensive.

Sherman offers cogent arguments, supported by impeccable logic and an incredibly rich vocabulary to make his points, which he further strengthens by a fertile array of quotes from the subjects of his articles or literary sources. He begins his thesis with a most valid question concerning Obama's decision to bypass Israel's Knesset and deliver a message to a pre-selected group of students whom he urges to organize pressure for the promotion of peace, and if necessary even circumvent their democratically elected officials. What indeed is the nature of this aforementioned peace?

Is this the peace agreement that the government of Israel has been insisting must be negotiated by both sides without pre-conditions, and which the PA has for many months refused to accept but rather has chosen to stir up violent attacks against Israeli civilians and IDF personnel? Or is this rather Obama's subtext peace plan based upon indefensible 1967 borders and the release of hundreds of terrorist prisoners, totally ignoring the growing hostility that surrounds Israel?

Martin Sherman has got it right!

ZEV CHAMUDOT

Petach Tikva

[Image credit: Flickr user DonkeyHotey]

Obama Affirms Israeli Sovereignty in Jerusalem

Sir, - The refusal of Pres. Obama to speak in the Knesset unfortunately lends itself to a broad range of speculative opinions, none of which can be interpreted as favorable to Israel.

However, Obama's choice of the King David Hotel in Jerusalem as his residence for the duration of his trip at least recognizes the Biblical monarch and the presence of Jewish sovereignty in Jerusalem 1,300 years before the birth of Islam.

ZEV CHAMUDOT

Petach Tikva

[Image credit: Mark H. Anbinder]

Straight Shooter: Eastwood Goes Romney

Sir, - With America facing a most crucial presidential election in November, the two major candidates are naturally seeking the backing of important personalities and groups. Both the Democrats and the Republicans are vying for the support of people who command a lot of respect and influence.

Since the results of this election will have important ramifications for Israel, there are several well-known figures who have announced their support for one or the other of the candidates. Since Israel is very much in need of the bipartisan support of the United States, I for one have serious doubts about the political wisdom or (lack of) for a member of the government or of the Knesset to voice partisan support for either candidate.

However, our Minister of Defense, Ehud Barak has unequivocally endorsed the candidacy of Pres. Obama and this has strongly resonated throughout the political debate. The pro-Romney forces though have now managed to win over a most formidable supporter of the Romney candidacy with the announcement of Clint Eastwood's backing of the Republican candidate. Everyone of course recognizes Clint as a straight shooter who always fights on the side of the good and just even when appearing as "Dirty Harry". Does Obama still have a chance?

ZEV CHAMUDOT
Petach Tikva

[Image credit: Miguel Chajtur]

Time Marches On: Panetta, Netanyahu on Iran

Sir, - Thursday's front-page headline "Panetta, Netanyahu disagree on time left to stop Iran's nuclear race" is of critical importance and needs to be analyzed carefully and clearly understood, as this has existential significance for the State of Israel and perhaps for the entire world.

 

While there seems to be agreement between the United States and Israel on the need to prevent Iran from producing an actual nuclear bomb, significant differences remain about the prevention of Iran's achievement of the capability of producing a bomb if it so desired. There is in addition, disagreement about the effectiveness of sanctions in halting Iran's race toward reaching their nuclear goals. Israel is convinced that the sanctions, while having an effect, do not deter or delay Iran on its nuclear path at all, and indeed serve only to grant them time to accelerate their activities.

However when dealing with the "time left to stop Iran's nuclear race" as mentioned in the headlines, the well being of Israel requires the full recognition that it is running and being measured by two distinctly different clocks. The Israel clock marks the time it takes for Iran to arm itself with nuclear weapons, while the clock in the United Sates is focused on the time left for the presidential elections.

ZEV CHAMUDOT

Petach Tikva

[Image credit: Secretary of Defense]

J.Post June 20: Shimon Peres and Jonathan Pollard

Sir, – I readily proclaim that I do not possess the required Solomonic wisdom to have decisively demanded that President Shimon Peres make his acceptance of the US Presidential Medal of Freedom conditional on the release of Jonathan Pollard.

Having said that, however, I find the statement by Peres’s diplomatic advisor, Nadav Tamir, that “Obama listened seriously and asked good questions” (“Peres adviser: Door not slammed on Pollard release,” June 17), to be a pathetically ignoble attempt to redeem and explain the abominable continuing miscarriage of justice regarding Pollard.

Tamir’s statements do not offer anything but an insult to people’s intelligence. One has every right to expect that the serious listening and the good questions would have taken place when Peres lent the dignity of his office and made his first request for the release of Pollard several months ago. Indeed, the serious attention to the cruel and unusual punishment should have begun 27 years ago when Pollard was first arrested.

The fact that this inhumane incarceration of Pollard continues despite the many American and international statesmen and jurists who have asked for his release remains a blatant mark of shame on both Peres and US President Barack Obama.

ZEV CHAMUDOT
Petah Tikva

Obama Enigma: Four More Years of Him?

Sir, - Martin Sherman presents us with a most sobering challenge concerning the behavior of Barak Obama as a second-term president. "The prospect of a White House incumbent with an inherent affinity for Israel's adversaries and unshackled by considerations of reelection is one that must be considered with the utmost seriousness."

Sherman impeccably presents both sides of the Obama enigma by noting the fact that his administration has acted forcefully and frequently to preserve critical Israeli interests, while also reminding us of his initial outreach to the Muslim world and his belligerence toward Israel and its prime minister. Martin Sherman possesses rare analytical skills and the ability to present his arguments with linguistic precision and unassailable logic. These qualities serve to reinforce his thesis and should cause both Americans and Israelis to carefully weigh the risks involved.

ZEV CHAMUDOT

Petach Tikva 

[Image credit: Flickr user DonkeyHotey]

Taking Sides: Should Netanyahu Avoid Reps?

Sir, - Nathan Diament, director of public policy for the Orthodox Union (OU), is to be commended for his sensitive and thoughtful remarks related to the forthcoming presidential elections in the United States, and for his rightfully stressing the need for Israel's leaders not to play into partisan politics.

While the need for bi-partisan support for Israel is obvious, Diament goes on to suggest that Netanyahu avoid meeting with Republican presidential candidates during his upcoming trip to Washington "so as not to be perceived as taking sides in the campaign".

I beg to differ! I submit that if our Prime Minister does not meet with the Republican hopefuls, while he has several highly publicized meetings with Pres. Obama, it will be perceived by many as a most definite taking of sides in the campaign.

ZEV CHAMUDOT

Petach Tikva

J.Post January 4: Deeply Troubled

Sir, – I was deeply troubled by two aspects of the article by Rabbi Steven M. Bob (“The ‘tikkun olam’ president,” Comments & Features, January 1).

The writer informs us that he is a co-founder of Rabbis for Obama. This seems to be in gross violation of the principle of separation of church and state.

As rabbis, they should support worthy causes based on values, but they must also totally eschew the endorsement of a partisan political candidacy.

Are we to expect rival groups like Rabbis for Gingrich or Rabbis for Romney? Suppose the membership of Bob’s congregation holds differing political views – are they to be excommunicated? Suppose the other candidate wins? 

Second, I am concerned by Bob’s certainty about Obama. While I do not at all deny the important defense, political and economic aid provided to Israel by the United States, I remain uneasy. I sense that many questions concerning Obama remain open, and my unease relates to the well-being of both the US and Israel.

[Barak Obama was a member of a church for twenty years,whose Pastor Wright was an antisemitic bigot who abused his pulpit with attacks against Jews and the damning of America, without any apparent opposition from Obama. Obama's behavior toward Egypt's Pres. Mubarak not only failed to bring about 'tikun olam' but helped destabilize the entire Middle East and encouraged the rise of the Moslem Brotherhood.Obama's crippling of Israel's ability to negotiate by insisting on 1947 indefensible borders places a serious handicap on Israel and does violence to 'tikun olam'.]

ZEV CHAMUDOT 
Petah Tikva 

J.Post December 7: The Damn Table

Sir, – The appearance of Leon Panetta at the Saban Center in Washington (“Panetta on peace talks: We can’t get to the damn table,” December 4) provided a real life enactment of the legendary instructions added to the printed speech a speaker was about to deliver.

The notes appearing in the margins of the speech stated, “Here my argument is weak, so shout and pound the podium.”

Panetta’s emphatic repetition of “getting to the damn table” likewise served as a pathetic attempt to mask the anemia of his message.

In the face of the Islamic upheavals in our area and a totally recalcitrant Palestinian Authority, it is a patent absurdity to urge Israel to make concessions in order to “get to the table.”

Both the anti-Israel and anti-American nature of the regional developments demand a much more sober and formidable response to its very real dangers.

ZEV CHAMUDOT 
Petah Tikva 

World Leaders? Sarkozy, Obama on Netanyahu

Sir, - The remarks made by French President Nicolas Sarkozy concerning Israel's Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu as well as the response of Pres. Barak Obama were both demeaning and insulting to Netanyahu and the State of Israel.

These intemperate statements add a most unwelcome ingredient to the already fragile negotiations wherein all three gentlemen must deal with critical issues confronting Israel and the entire western world.

If there was any proof lacking about the less than admirable stature of some of the world's major leaders, we now clearly have it in black and white.

ZEV CHAMUDOT
Petach Tikva

J.Post October 5: Biden and Pollard

Sir, – Joe Biden’s unconscionable statements arouse anger, nausea and a feeling of gross betrayal. One senses a betrayal of decency and the desecration of the very core of the American value system.

Outrageous pronouncements [by Biden like: "Over my dead body" and "He should stay in jail for life"] to a group of rabbis encourage the suspicion that he is airing the politically weighted sentiments of the President. This is especially evident in view of the fact that Biden himself has voiced the opposite opinion on past occasions.

[I do hope that his rabbinical audience, be they Reform, Conservative, or Orthodox, had the good sense to walk out and declare that they will not tolerate this hateful offense against both Jewish and American ethics.]

ZEV CHAMUDOT 

Petah Tikva

Unmitigated Bigotry: Ben-Meir & the "Israel Ghetto"

 Sir, - Although Alon Ben-Meir writes under the banner 'Above The Fray,' he now seems to be writing from the depths of the murky slime.

His article "Escaping the Israel ghetto" is permeated with an almost palpable animus towards Binyamin Netanyahu, whom he chooses to blame for all of Israel's ills while granting him no credit at all for any of its achievements.

In a most contemptible charge against Netanyahu, he accuses him of losing the right of claiming shared values with the United States. Oh, how our author must have cringed when Netanyahu received those standing ovations from both houses of the U.S. Congress, precisely because he was so convincingly and eloquently able to articulate those shared values.

Ben-Meir's unmitigated bigotry is also directed towards the religious, settlers, and apparently towards any group that takes pride in our country and its democratic institutions, and who are willing to vigorously defend its right to exist.

ZEV CHAMUDOT
Petach Tikva

J.Post July 5: Knows What he Says

Sir, – Because of his background and years of experience as a top level adviser on the Middle East to President George W. Bush, Elliott Abrams is legitimately qualified to compare and provide insights as to the current behavior of President Barack Obama (“Abrams on Obama: He sees Israel as a problem that needs to be solved,” Diplomacy, July 1).

Abrams feels that Obama not only lacks sympathy for Israel’s plight, but “doesn’t get it fundamentally.”

Abrams explicitly indicates where Obama has favored Palestinian interests over those of Israel – the first being the president’s demand that negotiations be based on the untenable 1967 borders, the second leaving the Arab refugee issue open to negotiation.

Not only do I agree that both issues place Israel at a decided disadvantage, I think it important to point out that Obama’s callous disregard of widespread calls for the pardon of Jonathan Pollard reveals a lack of fundamental human sensitivity.

ZEV CHAMUDOT
Petah Tikva