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Egypt's Morsi Incites
Hatred Of Jews, Israel
Almost three years ago, a leader of
the Muslim Brotherhood, Mohamed
Morsi, described Jewish Zionists as
"these bloodsuckers who attack the
Palestinians, these warmongers, the
descendants of apes and pigs:" Now,
the president of Egypt's videotaped
comments are "coming back to haunt
him" ("Morsi's Slurs Against Jews Stir
Concern:' David D. Kirkpatrick, New
York Times, Jan. 15).
It's about time that international
media is paying some attention to
hatred against Jews and Israel from one
of the "leaders" of the Arab nations.
Morsi had urged Egyptians to "nurse
our children and our grandchildren on
hatred" for Jews and Zionists then, and
I can hardly believe that his virulent
anti-Semitism has faded.
Condemning Jews and Israel seems
even more absurd in today's era of
Syrian mass murder, which keeps flour-
ishing, even though the U.N. declared
the official death toll at over 60,000
(about half civilian).
Does anyone care that death and
destruction have now crossed Mideast
borders and that Syrian warplanes have
killed "dozens of civilians, including
more than 20 children" in Lebanon?
("Dozens of Civilians Are Said to Be
Killed by Syrian Airstrikes," Anne
Barnard, New York Times, Jan.15).
Lebanese children and hospitals
are being systematically bombed by
Syria, according to Doctors Without
Borders and the International Rescue
Committee. The IRC reported that
600,000 Syrians have fled Syria, some-
times because of rapes "primarily by
armed men ... sometimes by multiple
perpetrators" which often "occur in
front of family members:'
Israel is certainly not perfect in its
actions toward Palestinians. But in this age
of Syrian rape and genocide, who are the
real warmongers and "bloodsuckers?"
anti-Israel, you can understand our skit-
tishness with this candidate for secre-
tary of defense. We look to our senators
to be certain that Sen. Hagel embraces
his currently stated positions.
We respectfully ask that the confir-
mation hearings include the following
items so vital to our national security:
1. Sen. Hagel's views on unilateral
nuclear disarmament or reduction;
2. Sen. Hagel's position on modern-
izing America's antiquated nuclear
weapons given the expansion of China's
nuclear program and the modernization
of the Russian nuclear arsenal;
3. Sen. Hagel's views on the "bloated"
military and his plans for "reform";
4. Sen. Hagel's views on the sequester
and its impact on our military's capability;
5. Sen. Hagel's views on the dangers
of jihadists and terrorist actions across
the globe;
6. Sen. Hagel's position on the dan-
gers of the Muslim Brotherhood and the
instability in the Middle East.
The confirmation process is a funda-
mental part of our democratic system of
checks and balances, which is key to the
success of our republic. This process is
expected to be rigorous, challenging and
public with no guarantees other than
the candidate be treated fairly.
Unfortunately, during this extended
process some of those who support the
nominee have chosen to demonize Jews
and others for challenging the nomi-
nee's views on issues important to many
Americans, dealing with the security
of our nation, Israel and respect for all
people. It is important that the Senate
speaks up and ensures that intimidation
is not tolerated as part of the confirma-
tion process where difficult questions
should be the rule not the exception.
We expect Sens. Levin and Stabenow
and their colleagues to ensure the sub-
stance and rigor of the confirmation
process for the benefit of us all.
The stakes are high. Please let our
senators know your thoughts.
And regarding Mr. Allan Eisner's
commentary "Why I Joined J-Street"
(Jan. 3, page 22), in wanting to tell the
Israeli government what to do about
settlements, etc., J-Street has already
been exposed as consorting with Israel's
enemies regarding Israel's policies.
Again, in my opinion, J-Street's behavior
borders on sheer madness. AIPAC and
other mainstream Jewish organizations
do not criticize any Israeli government,
left or right; they support the Israeli
people unequivocally.
Jews anywhere in the world have no
right to criticize Israel's foreign and
defense policies. Israelis are the ones
who will live and die by their own deci-
sions. The temple in Jerusalem was
destroyed both times because of Jewish
infighting. These Jews are trying, God
forbid, to knowingly or unknowingly,
do the same thing.
American Jews have to support Israel
unconditionally; Israel is our insurance
policy.
Arnie Goldman
Farmington Hills
Eugene Greenstein, Zionist Organization of
America-Michigan Region; Andre Douville,
Walk for Israel; Ed Kohl, Volunteers for Israel;
Tim Munger, The Friends of Israel Gospel
Ministry Inc.
We plant ein boiml, efsher tzvey*
Farvos** it's Tu b'Shevat today.
It gives us shade and also wood
And frucht tzum essn,*** it's so good,
So plant a boiml, gay shein, gay.****
Senators Must Quiz
Hagel Thoroughly
Many of us in the community were
interested in hearing Sen. Hagel's positive
revision of his positions on the unaccept-
ability of a nuclear Iran, and dealing with
the terrorist organizations Hamas and
Hizbollah, etc., during his meeting with
Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.).
We look forward to hearing the
details in the confirmation hearings.
Given the abrupt change by Sen. Hagel
on these positions, and a history of
statements perceived by Democrats and
Republicans alike as anti-Semitic and/or
U.S. Jews Should Not
Dispute Israeli Voters
Regarding the letter "U.S. Jews May Not
Agree With Israel's Right Wing" (Jan.
3, page 5), the writer says he doesn't
like the right-wing Israeli government
elected in free and democratic elections.
In my opinion, it is outrageous that
anyone would want a leftist government
in Israel. The Israeli people are electing
a government of their choosing; they do
not need his advice.
David Kahan
Bloomfield Hills
Correction
Last week's story, "Gov.
Snyder Announces
Appointments" (page
16), should have
included Barry Simon,
who was re-appointed
this year to a four-year
term on the State Tax
Barry Simon
Commission. Simon,
who lives in Commerce
Township, is a certified assessment evalu-
ator, personal property evaluator and
personal property specialist. For 35 years,
he served as city assessor and chief of per-
sonal property for the city of Southfield.
Tu B'Shevat
* ein boiml, efsher tzvey — one
little tree, perhaps two
**Farvos — Because
*** frucht tzum essn — fruit to eat
****gay shein, gay
— go already,
go
— Rachel Kapen
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January 24 • 2013
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