ronaine >> letters How to Send Letters We prefer letters relating to JN articles. We reserve the right to edit or reject letters. Letters of 225 words or less are considered first. Longer ones will be subject to trimming. Letter writers are limited in frequency of publication. Letters must be original and contain the name, address and title of the writer and a day phone number. Non-electronic copies must be hand signed. Send letters to the JN: 29200 Northwestern Highway, Suite 110, Southfield, MI 48034; fax (248) 304-8885; e-mail, letters@the jewishnews.com . We prefer email. Jews And Arabs Must Acknowledge Each Other John O'Neill is right in his article "Palestinians Aren't Invented. They are Real People." (Jan. 19, page 27). We can't wish the Palestinian Arabs away, like they can't wish the Israeli Jews away. They are both there to stay. The Israelis have to acknowledge the Palestinian Arabs legitimate claim to the land, which most of them do. And conversely, the Palestinian Arabs have to finally acknowledge the legitimate claim of the Israeli Jews, which they mostly didn't do as yet. Only after these mutual recognitions can earnest negotiations take place and have a chance to finally solve this seemingly intractable Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Rachel Kapen West Bloomfield Palestinians Don't Have Ancient Roots In Israel Having observed the leftist leanings of the Jewish News over decades, it comes as no surprise that you chose to publish a "commentary" on Jan. 19 where John O'Neill lectures a largely Jewish audi- ence on the meaning of "Palestinian" national identity ("Palestinians Aren't Invented. They Are Real Peopl' page 27). We should all put aside the seman- tics; the facts are these: The Arabs who currently live between the Mediterranean and the Jordan River are not the descendants of the ancient Jebusites as declared recently by Saeeb Erakat. They are the descendants of the Arab/Muslim hordes that conquered the Land of Israel after Muhammad's ascendance. They arrived some 2500 years after Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. More importantly, these same Arabs have no intention of sharing this land with the Jewish people now or, most likely, ever. The sooner the Jewish peo- ple accept this as immutable fact, the better off they will be. David Arm, Esq. West Bloomfield Two First-Time Volunteers Aid Israeli Defense Forces First-time volunteers Judge Bernard Friedman and Stan Meretsky worked with the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), assigned to a base in the Negev where they worked in a recycling facility. The group consisted of people from Switzerland, Germany, England, Ohio and Illinois as well as three other Detroit-area volunteers who were assigned to other bases. For IDE volunteer information, call Ed Kohl, (248) 420-3729. Israel Is A Democracy Worthy Of Our Pride The article "A New Israel?" by Robert Rockaway (Jan. 5, page 24) suggests that Israel is becoming an anti-democratic, totalitarian state that mandates a loyalty oath for Arab citizens, muzzles news media, etc. The legislation up in the Knesset is similar to legislation that exists in the U.S. for years. Our Pledge of Allegiance is not mandatory, is used frequently and refusal to recite it is not a crime. Similarly, if Israel adopts a pledge, it will be on a similar basis. Israel has the right to protect itself by whatever the circumstances require. Just imagine, Israel in the last few months has indicted a former prime minister, a former mayor and a presi- dent. In the U.S., nobody was indicted for loss of billions in Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac or Solyndra. Jon Corzine, former governor of New Jersey, lost $1.2 billion. Bank of America was fined $350 million dollars for discrimination of African Americans. One cannot exam- ine Israel without using the same yard- stick that we use in our own environ- ment in America. The ultra-Orthodox have a reason to complain when gay parades cross the streets where they live, pork is served all over Jerusalem and huge revealing commercial posters decorate the center of the city. Some Israelis insist on driv- ing in ultra-religious quarters on the Sabbath. Just imagine anybody breaking such religious rules in Mecca or Gaza. Rockaway does not understand that Judaism is not shariah. Israeli laws pres- ently discussed in the Knesset are not "Judaic." Democracies are never perfect. Rather, they adjust to circumstances. There is no apartheid in Israel. Yes, Israel is not perfect, a small melting pot with secular and religious, Muslims, Christians and Jews, Ethiopians, Russians, Arabs mixed with other Israelis. Yes, capitalism is winning in Israel Judge Bernard Friedman and Stan Meretsky with Israeli Sar-El group leaders Jessica and Amit. and there is a gap between the rich and the poor that has increased. Above all, Israel exists in a bad neighborhood, which requires homeland security to function effectively. We do have pride in Israeli achieve- ments, first surviving for 63 years, absorbing millions of refugees, creating a solid exemplary economy and allow- ing women, gayd, lesbians, religious and non-religious to live side-by-side with full rights. Dr. Isaac Barr Bloomfield Township Thanks For Giving All Views A Voice On Israel I am writing to support the sentiments expressed by Isaac Schaver, M.D., (Jan. 19, page 5) responding to Robert Rockaway's IN commentary, "A New Israel?" (Jan. 5, page 24). It seems as though the majority opin- ion in Detroit's Jewish community has been to support all Israeli governmental actions, regardless of the consequences. The Jewish News is to be commended for giving those of us with the minority view a voice. Barbara Zabitz, president Ameinu Detroit Israeli Governments Have Lacked Vision The letter from Isaac Schaver, M.D. and Robert Rockaway's JN commentary, are refreshing to see. I, too, have a strong connection with Israel — I lived there on and off from 1969 to 1986 and all of my children are sabras. My view of the recent governments is that they lack the vision and integrity that we all expect from our leadership. Shortsighted policies, questionable mili- tary tactics and the lack of government reaction to the growing discrimination against women have caused further iso- lation of Israel. While my love of Israel and its people are strong and unwavering, I cannot sup- port the current Israeli government. The policies and actions of this government do not reflect the Jewish values of toler- ance, inclusion, and tikkun olam [repair of the world] with which I was raised. My view is a product of the Jewish morals and ethics of which I am proud. They do not come from any "Jewish self- hatred" nor a bias against Israel, as some in the Detroit Jewish community might maintain. I simply want the dream of Israel to continue to be a reality, some- thing that I believe the current Israeli government policies are putting at risk. Thank you, Jewish News, for your will- ingness to print the spectrum of Jewish opinions related to Israel. Aviva Phillips JCRC Mitzvah Day at the Medow Home in Huntington Woods (standing: Mitch Blackman, Drew Baskin and Matt Blackman; seated: Eileen Cohen) Whether as a volunteer or donor, your generous support will benefit the men, women and children ARC serves. jarc 15arrie. 248.538.6611 • jarc.org Oak Park January 26 • 2012 5