J.Post March 23: BDS - Wrong Prescription, Wrong Diagnosis

Reader James Adler leaves us with the impression that he sleeps very well now that he has concluded that he possesses the formula for ending the BDS movement and resolving the Arab-Israel conflict (“Rx for BDS,” Letters, March 20). To achieve this state of bliss, all Israel must do is “cease settlement expansion and end the occupation.”

It is worthy to note that when Adler iterates what Israel must do, he provides not even the slightest hint as to any obligations or requirements that are expected of the Palestinian side in order to reach this messianic goal. Some points of reality that he might want to consider are: 

1. The state of Israel is surrounded by hate and enmity, and the corrupt Palestinian Authority is engaged in active anti-Israel incitement in its educational system and mosques, so that the relinquishing of any territory is not doable now or in the foreseeable future. We have witnessed the results of our unilateral withdrawal from Gaza, where we were repaid with thousands of rockets.

2. The primary interest of the PA and its partner, Hamas, is not a state of their own, but the elimination of the State of Israel.

3. The discomfort of checkpoints is not the cause of terrorism. Terrorism demands the security need for checkpoints.

4. The settlements and occupation are not the cause of BDS, as attempts to boycott Israel have been a tool of Israel-haters ever since the state’s establishment.

ZEV CHAMUDOT

Petah Tikva 

(You can read Adler's response here.)

[Image credit: Flickr user claudia gabriela marques vieira]

J.Post November 9: Editorial Distortions

Sir, - Your editorial "Terrorism, not terror" (October 29) has several unforgivable distortions that raise serious doubts about the objectivity of its writer. 

An editorial that justly portrays the murderous intentions and actions of the Palestinians and then devotes half of its content to the supposed sins of the Jews, settlers, rabbis, and crazies leaves the definite impression that there is moral equivalency between the two sides of the Arab-Israeli conflict. This is one of the major distortions that has already been adopted by the UN, the United States, and, above all, the murderous terrorists themselves. 

It must be made quite clear to all that although we have some extremists in our midst, the murder of innocent Arabs never was and never will be part of our national program. It does not appear in our textbooks, We do not preach it in our synagogues, we do not name streets or stadiums after our 'terrorists' and there is no Jewish mother praying for the death of her son in order to reward him with the services of heavenly virgins. Not only do our people not joyfully celebrate the ugly acts of our miscreants, there is overwhelming national and individual condemnation of their behavior. 

Another distortion in the editorial is the identification of the masked attacker of Rabbi Arik Ascherman as a "knife wielding settler," when it is still unknown who the attacker was. It would be equally unjustified to distort the presence Rabbi Ascherman at the scene for the purpose of aiding Arabs in their attacks against Jewish farmers.

The most disgraceful and unforgivable portion of the editorial, however, is that which contains completely unsubstantiated accusations against the national government, settlers, and the IDF: 

"This is shamefully obvious in the official response to the persecution of Palestinian farmers by settlers, who deny them access to their to their farmland under the watchful eyes of nonintervening IDF troops."

These distortions serve to add fuel to the unconstrained hatred that surrounds our beleaguered state.

ZEV CHAMUDOT

Petach Tikva

The Sins of Satmar

Sir, - One of the cardinal challenges with which Judaism confronts Man is the dictate of imitatio dei: to serve God by imitating His ways. The Psalmist describes Him as "Healer of the broken-hearted and the One Who binds up their sorrows."

As one who purports to be a rabbinical leader of a large Hasidic sect, not only has the Satmar Rebbe failed to follow these rather clear postulates, but he has chosen to add grief and pain to the shattered hearts of those holy and awesome families in the midst of their mourning by ascribing to them the blame for the death of their sons.

Instead of calling on these princely couples to do tshuva for sending their sons to learn Torah in the heartland of Jewish history, it would behoove the Rebbe to consider his own need of tshuva for pursuing a warped and decayed doctrine that denies sanctity and merit to God's miracle that is the State of Israel due to its not being established by the Messiah.

I fear that the dreadful and divisive statements of the Satmar Rebbe, when the entire nation is prayerfully weeping over its fallen sons, will give cause to the Messiah to further delay his long-awaited arrival.

ZEV CHAMUDOT

Petach Tikva

[Image credit: Flickr user diluvi]

J.Post Magazine April 18: Lies of the Pathetic Palestinian Leadership

Sir, - The heroic attempt to portray Dr. Mustafa Barghouti as a judicious, non-bigoted Palestinian leader is rendered absurd by his own statements and positions quoted in the article by Mati Wagner. What emerges very vividly is his insistence on repeating the same tired mantra that places the blame for the Palestinian's lack of significant achievements in the establishment of state-building institutions, as well as their lack of progress in the betterment of living standards for their people, solely on the state of Israel. 

Dr. Barghouti's intellectual integrity is seriously challenged by his seemingly total obliviousness to the history of the serious attempts by Palestinians and several Arab armies to obliterate the Jewish state. When questioned whether a reconciliation with Hamas would require the abandonment of their official platform that calls for the violent destruction of the State of Israel, he responds with the insensate and ludicrous statement, "Listen, this sort of approach just makes obstacles; it puts the carriage before the horse."

Barghouti aligns himself with the arch Israel-bashers when he emphatically asserts that what is happening in the West Bank is akin to apartheid. He defends this description by use of unconscionable lies concerning water allocation, claiming that Palestinians receive significantly less water than Israelis. While this canard has been totally exposed by each and every non-hostile, responsible water authority, the Palestinian's grossly irresponsible wastage and stealing of water, along with their refusal to construct vitally-needed sewage treatment plants despite more than ample international funding, is all attributed to Israeli obstacles and red tape.

The tragic irreconcilability of our positions can be clearly understood when reading Barghouti's statement: "I always said that the Israelis have taken the risks of wars and violence for 65 years. It is time for Israel to take the risk of peace." 

Please understand that Israelis have not 'taken' the risks of wars, Israelis have suffered the risks of wars that were forced upon them by an implacable enemy and those risks have increased dramatically when using honest lenses to view the bloodletting that is taking place on all our borders.

ZEV CHAMUDOT

Petach Tikva

[Image credit: Wikimedia user Aude]

J.Post December 26: Delusions Behind Israeli Settlement Policy

Sir, - Isi Leibler once again presents us with a highly readable column, advancing straightforward facts and "A coherent settlement policy."
clear-cut arguments. He attempts to make a strong case for the necessity of Israel under the leadership of Netanyahu to establish what he calls

Leibler contends that the government's present ambiguous policy is the number one issue that is utilized by our detractors to vilify us. He cites several examples where Israel is facing increasing hostility on campuses, growing pressure for boycotts, as well as frequent anti-Israel U.N. resolutions, and claims that "the entire world is deluded into believing that settlements represent the principal obstacle to peace."

I confess I am truly surprised by Isi Leibler. While he is obviously correct about the desirability of a cohesive settlement policy, it would undoubtedly have little effect on Israel's maligners. Does Leibler really believe that even a total retreat from a pro-settlement stance by Netanyahu would reduce Israel-bashing in the least bit? Does he really believe that Abbas would then permit the presence of soldiers in the Jordan Valley or would agree to an undivided Jerusalem as the capitol of Israel? Would the PA president then be willing to declare Israel as the homeland of the Jewish people? 

I hope that Isi Leibler's response to the above questions would be in the negative, especially in view of the fact that he himself uses the term 'deluded' to describe those that believe the settlement issue to be the biggest obstacle to peace. It is important to understand that Israel is facing an implacable enemy and we therefore must remain forever vigilant in safeguarding and remaining true to our vital national interests, and not succumb to any perilous delusions.

ZEV CHAMUDOT
Petach Tikvah

J.Post December 1: Europe Chooses Iranian Uranium over Israeli Innovation

Sir, – With regard to “PM convenes urgent meetings on stalemate over Horizon 2020” (November 26), permit me to alert your readers to the invidious differences between the way the European Union relates to the pariah state of Iran and how it treats Israel, the only democracy in the Middle East.

Despite proven Iranian support and sponsorship of terrorism in many parts of the world, and the murder of many tens of thousands by Tehran’s puppet regime in Syria, the EU, together with other world powers, came obsequiously to Iran and went out of its way to sign a treaty that not only will cause no discomfort to the Iranians, but will effectively permit them to continue their enrichment program.

While not one of these powers dared challenge the Iranian leadership’s call for the elimination of Israel, they chose to reward Iran with the partial removal of sanctions.

In considering Israel’s request to show some flexibility concerning settlement guidelines that would permit its participation in the Horizon 2020 project, the EU’s response was callous and totally negative. Israel, whose scientific achievements are second to none, is forced to its knees because of Europe’s blind acceptance of the Palestinian narrative. Non-compliance with this political extortion would result in a huge blow to Israeli research.

The final score: Iran is given every consideration, including permission to continue violating years of UN resolutions demanding that it cease enrichment, and thereby is enabled to threaten the region with weapons of mass destruction – while Israel, the nation that “dwells alone,” is forced to curtail the research that has produced many of the major scientific and medical breakthroughs for mankind.

Zev Chamudot

Petach Tikvah

[Image credit: Wikimedia user Nanking2012]

Shelly Yachimovich and the Irrationality of Protecting Jewish Lives

Sir, - The murders of two IDF soldiers in two days prompted several ministers and MK's to petition Prime Minister Netanyahu to reconsider the further release of Palestinian prisoners. Opposition leader Shelly Yacimovich argued vehemently against doing so, and added that Netanyahu's decision to permit Jewish tenants to move into a building legally owned by them was 'irrational' and designed to stop the peace process.

Of course Yacimovich's thinking seems to be telling us not to become overly upset with the murder of two soldiers, in view of her unhesitant and unmitigated backing for the release of hundreds of terrorist prisoners responsible for the death of many times that number of innocent victims. However, when she accuses Netanyahu of acting irrationally, I would like to try to fathom what takes place within her cerebral eco-system that can find rationality in the release of these low-lifes before any declaration by the PA authorities that they absolutely and unequivocally disavow terrorism, before they act accordingly by halting their heroization of terrorists, before they revamp their hate filled educational structure, and before they once and for all brand it with the stigma of religious and moral repugnance that it deserves.

Shelly quite often parrots the mantra that all the above is necessary in order to assure the continuation of the PA-Israel negotiations so that Israel will remain a Jewish and democratic state. However, in a joint interview this past week of Yacimovich and Likud Minister Yisrael Katz by Dan Margalith, when asked what should be the proper reaction to these vile murders, Yachimovich asserted that we can expect terror to continue even after her coveted peace agreement is reached.

In reaction to that statement and in the name of national sanity, if given the choice between a Jewish and democratic state faced with ongoing terror after the signing of a peace agreement, and a Jewish state that will see as its most important duty the elimination of terror and the protection of Jewish lives, let us indeed choose life.

ZEV CHAMUDOT

Petach Tikva

[Image credit: Ze'ev Yanay]

James Adler vs. Martin Sherman: The Difference Between Light and Darkness

Sir, - In the Talmud, the Rabbis explain the necessity of having the Havdallah prayer placed in the midst of the fourth blessing in the Amidah portion of the evening service that marks the end of the Sabbath. It is the fourth blessing in which we express our gratitude to the Almighty for granting us intelligence and knowledge, and it is precisely those gifts that enable us to distinguish between the holy and the profane, light and darkness, Israel and the nations, the seventh day and the six days of labor.

James Adler asks why the Jerusalem Post continues to print the articles of Martin Sherman whom he labels an extremist. Adler himself, however, has displayed a remarkable, Pavlovian persistence in blaming Israel for all the ills of the Middle East. There has never been any indication that he possesses the ability to distinguish between light and darkness, truth and fiction, or reality and propaganda when writing about the Arab-Israel conflict. There has never been any evidence of his equanimity being at all upset by terrorist atrocities, hundreds of rockets falling on Israel's civilian population, vicious anti-Israel messages of hate emerging from PA schools and mosques, massacres of innocents in Syria, Egypt, and Lebanon, and turmoil in the whole region. One honestly wonders why his thoughtless letters get published in the Jerusalem Post.

Adler apparently cannot tell the difference between the support and justification of terrorism provided by Larry Derfner and the noncoercive, economically incentivized emigration proposed by Martin Sherman. The former supports death, while the latter attempts to find non-violent solutions to deal with the realities of the issues. His articles are analytical , deeply insightful, and well-argued, while the letters of James Adler are completely inane and offensive.

ZEV CHAMUDOT

Petach Tikva

[Image credit: Alexander Smolianitski]

Does Israel Know What It's Best Interests Are?

Sir, - It is quite often wrongly assumed that if you get someone with a Jewish sounding name like Jeffrey Goldberg to write an article, he can deliver the most inane Israel bashing tripe, in the hope that the unenlightened natives in Israel wont recognize it for what it really is. What it really proves, however, is that even possessing a Jewish name does not guarantee either intellectual integrity or more than a most superficial understanding of the Middle East and its conflicts.

The blaring headline that informs us that "Israel doesn't know what its best interests are" is grossly insulting while at the same time it seems to contain a number of veiled, and less than friendly, threats. The claim that the democratically elected government of Israel, representing a majority of its citizens, does not know how to assess its best interests is a patently malicious absurdity. Israel has unfortunately had to pay quite dearly in both blood and materiel in order to learn how to deal with the hostility of its surrounding environment, and how to best evaluate the true nature of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.  

The PA initiative of going to the UN in search of recognition was a blatant violation of the Oslo agreements. It was a conspicuous attempt to out-maneuver Israel and seek territorial and diplomatic gains, while continuing in its adamant refusal to sit and negotiate with Israel without prior conditions. The Oslo peace agreements met their just demise, when the PA was seemingly granted everything it wanted, without any concessions or compromise on its part. While the PA still persists in its onslaught of anti-Israel venom and hate through its schools and mosques, it is Israel that is constantly called on to make "gestures for peace." PA's president, Abbas, still persists in his attempts at unification with the Hamas terror organization, despite the latter's call for the destruction of Israel. The lack of any willingness on the part of the PA to restart negotiations, and in view of their continuing attempts to demonize Israel, it is eminently both just and sensible for Israel to take its own unilateral steps to halt the PA's nefarious behavior, and thus truly provide the people of Israel with the best safeguards for their security and future.

ZEV CHAMUDOT
Petach Tikva

"Critical Mass" Malaise: Zoabi & Israeli Democracy

Sir, - The recent decision by Israel's Attorney General, Yehuda Weinstein, for the State to refuse to defend Zoabi's disqualification , because her pro-terrorist activities have not reached a "critical mass," as well as the unanimous decision of Israel's Supreme Court granting her permission to participate in the forthcoming elections, raises a number of disturbing questions not only about the substance of Israel's democracy, but also about the presence in Israel of a malignant disorder that seriously threatens its security.

The Central Elections Committee, comprised of MKs representing a cross section of Israel's political composition, voted by a substantial majority to bar Haneen Zoabi from running for reelection. They did so after expending much time and effort in deliberating on the merits of the relevant controversial arguments, and concluded that Zoabi by both word and deed clearly acted against the interests of the State of Israel. It must be noted that in contradistinction to the elected MKs who make up the Elections Committee, neither the Attorney General or the members of the Supreme Court earned their positions through an election process. It thus appears to be indisputably evident who has the greater right of claiming to be the true reflection of the will of the people.

Israel's electorate has thus clearly spoken out against Zoabi as well as about their existential fear of the tumor present in the "critical mass" criterion of the Attorney General and the Supreme Court. Who has greater sensitivity in judging when "red lines" are crossed than the citizens of Israel as reflected through their elected officials? The "critical mass" criteria has crippled Israel's responsive behavior toward years of terrorist rockets that have traumatized our southern communities, and it continues to seriously hamper our response towards Iran's call for our annihilation.

It is clearly about time for the government of Israel, its Attorney General and its Supreme Court, to realize that for the people of Israel, the first rocket fired against our civilian population already attains "critical mass!" The same is true about Zoabi's pro-terrorist activities!

Zev Chamudot

Petach Tikva

[Image credit: Flickr user Russell Tribunal on Palestine]

UPDATED J.Post December 22: Out with Zoabi

Sir, – With regard to “Panel bars Zoabi from Knesset election” (December 20), we were informed in a previous frontpage Post article (“Zoabi: If Balad’s banned, Arabs won’t vote,” December 9) that MK Haneen Zoabi has a first degree in philosophy and a second degree in communications. But it quickly becomes quite apparent that despite her advanced education, she lacks the ability to relate to the need for accuracy or truth with any degree of sanctity.

While Zoabi unhesitatingly attacks Israel with the obscene charge of racism, she blithely chooses to ignore the malicious and patent absurdity of the charge, based on the evidence of the opportunities afforded to her by both the democratic State of Israel and its liberal and accepting society.

She received her higher education from two of Israel’s important universities and was democratically elected along with several Arab colleagues to serve in Israel’s parliament.

These facts, it is worth noting, are in clear contrast to the existing realities in all of Israel’s nondemocratic neighbors.

What, however, makes Zoabi’s behavior more despicable is her joining the May 2010 protest flotilla aimed at breaching Israel’s security blockade of the Gaza Strip with the purpose of showing support for and providing encouragement to its terrorist Hamas government.

Zoabi dismisses this fact on the basis of the presence of parliamentarians from other countries.

Of course, they were from countries with clear anti-Israel agendas.

Therefore, it does not at all provide her with an excuse for her behavior, but rather makes it all the more contemptible.

As a serving member of Israel’s parliament, joining in a clearly anti-Israel effort in support of those who consistently call for armed conflict with Israel with the goal of our destruction, was in fact an act of treason and should minimally exclude the possibility for her reelection.

ZEV CHAMUDOT
Petah Tikva

[Image credit: Fora do Eixo]

Betrayal of Trust: Olmert at Saban

Sir, - I find it impossible to fathom the reason behind Ehud Olmert's outrageous declaration at the Saban Forum, "Settlement plan is slap in Obama's face." Does he despise the people of Israel so much, because the court found him guilty of the despicable crime of 'betraying the public trust,' that he is driven to demean and betray them once again in a public forum held in Washington? What did Olmert  hope to accomplish by his ugly accusation? Is he inviting the 'slapee' Barak Obama to punish the state of Israel in revenge for Olmert's downfall? Did he hope to change the government's decisions?

It is quite evident that his motive could not have been an honorable one, since he is very much aware that elections are due in Israel shortly and he could and should have made his hateful comments in a number of appropriate political channels available within Israel's political democracy. Of course if that occurred, he would have been deprived of the opportunity of denouncing Israel in front of America's hundreds of millions of citizens.

His hatred of the right and of Bibi Netanyahu is quite well known and it is absolutely certain that they are aware of his political positions, but when faced with gross violations of the Oslo accords by the PA, their response seems to be quite reasonable. It should at the same time be noted that Olmert completely avoids mention of Obama's other cheek, which was slammed by the Olmert hero, Mahmoud Abbas, in his arrogant decision, in defiance of U.S. and European states, to seek observer status at the U.N.

ZEV CHAMUDOT
Petach Tikva

[Video credit: jewish news one]

Outrageous!: Joseph Massad on Homeland Show

Sir, - Seth J. Frantzman's articles have been consistently intelligent and well reasoned and we owe him a vote of thanks for his exposition of the very serious breach of academic ethics at one of America's prestigious universities. In his article "Homeland, the Jews and Columbia University," Frantzman reveals the shocking bias and perversity to be found in the classroom of a leading university with the apparent acceptance by the administration.

Frantzman relates several instances where Professor Joseph Massad has verbalized racially offensive remarks in his classroom. He seems to be obsessed with the racial composition of his classroom and of the characters that he teaches about. In his critique of the popular Homeland television series he constantly and gratuitously refers to them as "suspiciously brown" or "wed to a Jew" or the "Hindu" without any rational connection to the performer's role.

It is worthy of note, that it was Columbia University that unhesitatingly permitted Iran's President Ahmadinejad to deliver one his infamous tirades. There seems to be no doubt that Prof. Massad is "suspiciously Nazi" and most clearly unbalanced, which does not speak well for the university.

It would be of supreme interest if Massad would relate to President Obama, as being "suspiciously Brown" on his father's side and "Halachically White" on his mother's!

ZEV CHAMUDOT
Petach Tikva

[Image credit: Salaam Shalom; video credit: Showtime]

Nakba Law: Arab Free Speech in Israel

Sir, - I feel that I am compelled to express a fundamental disagreement to the way your "Nakba and freedom" editorial presents the issues involved in the controversy. By juxtaposing Israel's Nakba Law with the democratic rights of the Arab minority to freedom of expression, grossly distorts the concerns involved.

I believe that the vast majority of Israel's citizens would favorably accept a Nakba day commemoration if the Arabs adopted the bemoaning of their plight based on the concept of "Mipnei chataaynu galinu maiartzenu." However, Israel dare not and must not provide or permit them a platform, for the spread of hatred and perversions of the truth. The issue then is not at all, that of freedom of speech, but rather a declaration of war against all that Israel has achieved since its independence. Good and evil cannot exist in harmony. Historical truths cannot be tolerant of those who attempt to rewrite history based on lies and fiction.

We in Israel unfortunately, have never witnessed, nor in all probability will ever witness, a parallel Arab demonstration upholding the right of Israel to exist in peace with secure borders. Only when that comes about may we consider reevaluating our Nakba Law!

ZEV CHAMUDOT
Petach Tikva

[Image Credit: PSP photos]

Zionist DNA? Not at Ben-Gurion University

Sir, - Rivka Carmi, President of Ben-Gurion University probably means well when she writes and titles her article, "Zionism is in our DNA." Carmi however fails to make a convincing case in support of her argument. She never reveals who is 'our' when offering her argument. It is unfortunately quite clear, that even among Israelis or Jews of the Diaspora, not all of them can be described as sharing that particular DNA component called Zionism. Among the most blatant possessors of an anti-Zionist, sometimes spilling over to anti-Semitic DNA composition, are some members of the Faculty at Ben-Gurion University. There are tenured lecturers and professors who openly call for not only academic boycotts of Israel, but also policies of divestment and political action designed to be inimical to the State of Israel and its citizens. Carmi attempts to support her thesis by describing the positive achievements of our young State, while at the same time almost pathetically suggesting that these anti-Zionists be left to continue with their perfidy.

Carmi is also seriously amiss when she states that both Zionism and science are both movements rooted in the rationalism of the 19th century. For myself and a great number of the Jewish people, Zionism began well over two thousand years ago when our traditions instilled in us the dream to return to the ancient Land of our Fathers. This truism is clearly echoed in the 'Hatikva' national anthem that expresses this ancient hope and dream, and became embedded in the DNA and hearts and minds of many of our people throughout the ages.

ZEV CHAMUDOT
Petach Tikvah

Two Agendas

Sir, - The president of BGU, Rivka Carmi, most ably provides us with a description of an ideal Israeli academic institution with great achievements in research, scientific publications, and free and open exchange of ideas. She does so in her article "Universities are in the footnotes." Unfortunately, reality intrudes on her portrayal and provides us with a not so bright picture, marred by the ugly and treasonable behavior of some of our academics. Their conduct outside and within the university are not at all confined to footnotes but they indeed supply the leading headlines to the media and to all those intent on Israel's de-legitimization. They are sought after not because of their scholarship, but precisely for their opinions damming Israel. They do great harm!

Rivka Carmi is being disingenuous when she accuses the monitoring groups of being motivated by a "clear political agenda" rather than a genuine love of Israel but then goes on to affirm her own agenda by describing the atmosphere in Israel as being inimical to her evidently favored pro-human rights groups.

ZEV CHAMUDOT
Petach Tikva

J.Post February 12: The Israeli 'Occupation'?

Sir, - Under the guise of a passionate defense of Naomi Chazan, Gershon Baskin insists on lumping together his favored gripes under one umbrella and demands that we all seek its protection ("A dark day for democracy," February 9).

He couples human rights and civil liberties advocates with those who are against the 'occupation of the Palestinian people and territories' and thus opposed to the policies of Israel's government.

I dare say that the vast majority of Israelis are, like most Jews, supporters of civil liberties and human rights, but do not accept Baskin's stand on the 'occupation.'

His claim of 'occupation' is a dubious one, and has been at the core of the Arab-Israel conflict ever since the inauguration of the Zionist enterprise in the historical birthplace of the Jewish people. The legal right to this homeland was recognized by the Balfour Declaration and repeatedly reconfirmed by the League of Nations. There was never an independent Arab sovereignty over this part of the globe, and following the defensive War of Independence, fought victoriously against seven invading Arab armies, the territories that came under Israel's control should justly remain there.

If Baskin really is concerned about the Palestinians, he must convince them that neither cliches nor terrorist atrocities will solve their problems, but rather a willingness to accept Israel's existence, followed by negotiations in good faith.

ZEV CHAMUDOT
Petah Tikva