Letters, May 27, 2011
Reject Obama’s pre-1967 formula
NO and only no. This is the only word that we can proclaim in response to the speech given by the US President on May 19, in which the supposed closest ally of Israel announced that the Jewish State has to return to the 1967 borders in order to make way for the establishment of a Palestinian state.
This speech is the continuation of a one-sided policy that began with the demand to freeze all settlements. President Obama went further than the UN Security Council, which after the Six-Day War considered territorial adjustments and recognised Israel’s rights to the Western Wall and the Jewish Quarter in Jerusalem.
President Obama also failed to mention Israel’s right to maintain the settlement bloc, in contrast to the official letter of President George W Bush to Ariel Sharon in 2004.
The 1967 borders remain indefensible. Abba Eban had called them “Auschwitz lines”. Many military specialists expressed similar concerns.
According to Obama’s plan, the main Israeli airport, Ben-Gurion, would be less than five kilometres from the region governed by Fatah, where every child is taught that the Jews are not human beings, but monkeys and swine, and where the terrorists of Hamas move freely. It is unfair to ask Israel to undo its security measures and to trust those who follow the teachings of hatred directed to the destruction of Jewish life.
Israel forms the foundation of life for the Jewish people. Whatever our religious or political affiliations, and wherever our residence, our obligation is to cherish and to support Israel with all our means.
Therefore we have only one answer to President Obama. No, and only no.
BELLA MEYLIKH, LEONID SHWARTZMAN
Elsternwick, Vic
Bibi should follow Taba precedent
I WAS disappointed with Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu’s rejection of the US President’s peace deal. In 2001 at Taba, former Israeli PM Ehud Barak (a former general) accepted a similar formulation of the 1967 boundaries with land swaps. On that occasion the then Palestinian leader was shown to be the reluctant person in the peace process.
JOHN BEAR
Maroubra, NSW
Palestinians in denial over Israel
AFTER 63 years of every kind of attack has been tried to wipe Israel off the map without success, the Palestinians continue the same tactic relentlessly. They cannot see the facts on the ground that Israel is thriving in spite of their concerted and continuing efforts.
Israel absorbed millions of refugees from Arab lands and 15 Arab states would not absorb one of some 600,000 Arabs at the time.
Now US President Barack Obama wades in demanding a return to pre-1967 borders. He did mention that it is useless to try to negotiate with an entity that does not recognise one’s right to existence.
We are told that we cannot dictate Israeli policy from the Diaspora, so I will just suggest that Israel adopt a policy put forward by MK Avigdor Lieberman to have every Israeli inhabitant swear allegiance to the state at the age of 18 and deprive of citizenship those who won’t.
With Israel under unceasing threat of attack, it cannot have a fifth column within, to dance on the roofs after any mass murder carried out by terrorists.
ADRIENNE SCHWARTZ
Darling Point, NSW
Boycott NSW Greens at ballot box
ON June 4, there is a by-election in Hunter Ward, Waverley, which will field a candidate from the NSW Greens.
The NSW Greens policy to support the global Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions against Israel is still very much on the cards.
In light of this, we urge all supporters of Israel to inform their NSW Greens candidates, at all elections, that this deplorable policy will discourage us from voting for them.
The rescission of the BDS motion, proposed by Marrickville Council, was very reluctantly accepted. But, it is still very much in place in principle, despite the fact that the Greens federal policy is one of dialogue and reconciliation on the Israeli-Palestinian situation.
We strongly urge all Israel supporters to boycott the NSW Greens. We have no idea as to the preferencing in this by-election. A vote for the ALP may well be a vote for the Greens.
We are planning a “Don’t vote for Greens” action at the booths on polling day. Any extra hands are welcome.
PHIL LEVY, SHIRLEE FINN
Sydney, NSW
New Israel Fund spin doesn’t wash
I TEMPORARILY succumbed to Henry Herzog’s philosophy on democracy (AJN 20/05). I contemplated the notion of giving Hamas a local branch in Tel Aviv, right on Ben Yehuda or on Hayarkon, sea view and all!
In the same vein, Robin Margo’s view of NIF (AJN 20/05) seemed to create the impression that NIF practically founded the State of Israel, and that NGOs such as Adalah, the Sheikh Jarrah Solidarity Movement, and the Coalition of Women for Peace – all NIF recipients at one time – had nothing to do with supporting the Goldstone report with their contributions against Israel.
The rhetorical laundry job on NIF dished out by its new representative in Australia doesn’t quite wash with those who must consider that NIF has already caused massive damage to genuine concerns for the safety of Israel.
OTTO WALDMANN,
Bondi Junction, NSW
Common sense at Limmud-Oz
IT is encouraging to hear that common sense has prevailed and Limmud-Oz organisers have refused to give BDS advocates and anti-Israel activists invitations to their upcoming talk fest this year.
Hopefully no other Palestinian propagandists will be invited to use Limmud-Oz as a platform for their propaganda. The Palestinian lobby has more than enough outlets in Australia to promote its cause;
it doesn’t need any help from the Jewish community.
MICHAEL BURD
Toorak, Vic
Netzer’s exclusion poor form
I WAS interested to read the article titled “Discrimination accusation levelled at Moriah College” on the online edition of The AJN.
Growing up in Sydney in the 1990s, I was active in Netzer from a junior member, all the way through to the role of president of the Australian Zionist Youth Council, the roof body that represents the six Australian-based Zionist youth movements. Following my active involvement in the Australian Jewish community, I made aliyah and built a successful life here.
From my experience of living in Israel, being the largest Jewish community in the world, our biggest weakness is our lack of unity.
For the Jewish community in the Diaspora, unity is vital for its future. Moriah College excluding Netzer from canvassing on campus and participating in school events only demonstrates to the school’s students the negative values of intolerance and division.
Netzer provided me and my peers with life values that I still hold close – values such as leadership, tolerance, equality, giving to charity and Jewish pride.
These have shaped my direction in both family and business life. Although I am not religious, I live a Jewish life in Israel. My kids receive a strong Jewish education, we celebrate the festivals and we keep a kosher home. I can only assume that the Moriah College board would be satisfied with this outcome from their graduates.
The Moriah College board should take a step back and think about what values they want to pass on to their students. The slightly distinct values of Netzer may appeal to some students that otherwise may stray away from their Jewish identity.
EVAN LEVER
Modi’in, Israel
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