The release of these brutal murderers makes me so angry; they will be celebrated while the families of their victims mourn.
By JERUSALEM POST READERSLetters 370(photo credit: REUTERS/Handout )Freeing prisoners Sir, – With regard to “Profiling the prisoners set to be released this week” (August 13), where can we march? The release of these brutal murderers makes me so angry. They will be celebrated while the families of their victims mourn.Their profiles show how random, debased and horrific these people and their crimes are. Is it really a wartime act to murder a person with an ax behind his back, to cut off ears as souvenirs, to steal a TV or a car in the process? People with multiple life sentences will walk free and taste adulation so we can make an anemic “goodwill” gesture. We must protest! Let’s go! Now!DAVID TEMAN Modi’inSir, – I read “Mother fears son’s killer could be allowed to return to neighboring village” (August 12). The article gives her name, age and community. Worst of all, it says she lives alone.Why don’t you just print her street address and daily schedule so that any local thugs and thieves will know exactly where and when to find their next victim?DEENA SPIGELMAN JerusalemSir, – It is very nice that we are releasing Arab prisoners. But what are we doing to protect them from possible vigilante action by the bereaved families? Can we be sure that none of them will take revenge on a released prisoner?LARRY ISRAEL Rehovot Careful strategy? Sir, – I have a book published some 20 years ago called Everything is Negotiable. Do you think a copy should be supplied to members of the cabinet? At least then, as a concerned citizen, I will know that what appears to be absolute insanity from a tactical point of view (“Israel, PA wrangle over plans for 1,200 homes beyond Green Line,” August 12) is part of a carefully considered strategy to gain the upper hand in negotiations with an adversary.
ALAN SHLOMO KOOR Petah TikvaSir, – In “Israel, PA wrangle over plans for 1,200 homes beyond Green Line,” your reporters mention that Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas met with US peace envoy Martin Indyk as PA officials were condemning the new settlement plans.When will Israeli leaders finally figure out that they have to answer back boldly to the Palestinians, and to world leaders, that Jewish settlement in Judea and Samaria is legal? The League of Nations Mandate for Palestine was never abrogated. To say otherwise is a great injustice and not only denies the deep historical connection of the Jewish people to the Land of Israel, but runs contrary to international law.One can reasonably argue about the wisdom of a particular outpost or Jewish village, but not about their legality.International law is the language the world understands.Every time Israeli leaders remain silent on this subject it’s like admitting their own guilt.The world respects you only if you respect yourself. We need to respect ourselves. Negotiations can succeed only if they are based on an understanding that Jewish settlement is legal and natural, and that it has never been the true barrier to peace.The real barrier to peace has been the Arabs’ refusal to admit that the Jewish people has a deep and ancient connection to this land and that this was ratified by international law.LARRY BIGIO Zichron Ya’acovTravails of a city Sir, – I am a resident of Ramat Beit Shemesh. I work in Tel Aviv and am a so-called productive member of society. I pay my taxes and do my bit. I feel that the police should protect me.I also live right next to the site of the protests over the graves (“Haredi extremists riot over ‘desecration of graves’ at Beit Shemesh building site,” August 13).When the police use water cannons on protesters and aim into my parking lot to the extent that no one from my building can leave his apartment, is that protection? Is that fair? Is that okay? Who are they protecting? I tried to contact the police about this but was passed from this office to that office, receiving no help at all.I don’t know who is right and who is wrong, but if you stop ordinary citizens from living their lives, the buck stops here!BEN SAMSON Beit ShemeshSir, – I wish to challenge Sam Sokol’s “Eli Cohen’s deal with Bayit Yehudi could sour some Beit Shemesh voters” (August 12).We Beit Shemeshers passionately love our city. The poll set to determine the most likely candidate to lead the Zionist (as opposed to haredi) camp in the upcoming election brought out high emotions. There was a strong battle between supporters of Eli Cohen and Aliza Bloch, a very talented woman.The week prior to the poll, behind closed doors, Bayit Yehudi switched its support from Bloch, approaching Cohen to be its candidate of choice. Everyone was stunned. The timing was unfortunate, as it occurred during the polling, leaving people hanging.Cohen was apparently seen by Bayit Yehudi as the candidate with the best chance to return Beit Shemesh to its Zionist roots.Cohen is opening his arms to Beit Shemeshers and is holding a town meeting for everyone to challenge him, ask tough questions and get to know the man with integrity if he is to, hopefully, recreate a united Beit Shemesh.As emotions cool there is an excellent chance for Cohen to win the election and unite the city. I believe that Beit Shemesh can be part of the jewels of the crown that is the Land of Israel.BARBARA BROWN Beit ShemeshPaying the price Sir, – Far too often the Post carries stories of children left in locked vehicles and perishing there (“Fourth child in five weeks dies in overheated car,” August 12). I do not recall seeing a follow- up as to what happens to the parents or other guilty adults.Do the parents get punished, or is it assumed that it was a tragic mistake for which they will suffer a lifetime? This is homicide, however unintentional it might be, and therefore inexcusable. Might future deaths be prevented by holding parents responsible and making the penalties severe?LIBBY WERTHAN JerusalemEgomaniac Sir, – Regarding “Netanyahu and Kagame” (No Holds Barred, August 12), will we ever have a week without a picture of Shmuley Boteach standing next to a billionaire or a TV personality or a national leader? Is there no limit to this guy’s self-aggrandizement? Unless you are collecting advertising rates from him, I sure wish you would move on to some other egomaniac.BRUCE BAICHMAN Ra’ananaNo comparison Sir, – I grew up in ’60s England, when the Rolling Stones were at their peak. I also bought the first Kaveret album and attended the band’s brilliant concert last week in Tel Aviv, so I feel I have a right to reply to Jeff Barak’s sadly misplaced comparison (“Even when it comes to rock legends, Israel has to be different,” Reality Check, August 12).The Stones perform now, old men denying their age and hardly acting it. It is sad to see a group that was once iconic (although it never approached the standing of the Beatles) and which has learned nothing over the decades, harking back to a lost time.The members of Kaveret, on the other hand, have aged gracefully, acknowledging and joking about their long teeth, yet still relevant to today’s society and youth. This was the secret of the magic during their reunion – entertaining, witty, genuinely polished musical virtuosos, quintessentially beautiful Israel, now as then.ANTHONY LUDERRosh Pina
