Letters to the editor
Readers respond
Richard Kann, a devoted sibling
Your article on Richard Kann captured the essence of a wonderful and generous man (“Community stalwart Richard Kann dies at 84,” March 24). I would add the following: Richard was as devoted and loving a brother to his sister Linda as any sibling could ever ask for. His care for and attention to Linda for decades enriched and made her life better. Every brother or sister would be privileged and lucky to have someone like Richard as his or her sibling.
Jonathan Schmerling
Pittsburgh
Israel must remain strong
In response to Eileen Kraus-Dobratz’s letter, “Missing the point when talking about Israel” (March 24):
The triumph of the international media — much appreciated by the Arab world — has been to ignore the primary issue causing the Israel/Palestinian conflict, namely the refusal by the Palestinians to accept the legitimacy of the Jewish state. The popular Palestinian slogan, “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free,” proclaims that all of Israel must be freed from the occupiers, i.e. Jews. Instead of writing about this monumental roadblock to peace, the media has cast the people of Israel as occupiers and child abusers, illegally occupying Palestinian land, and now — with the political turmoil in Israel — a right-wing racist, Nazi-like government. Even if Israel gave in on everything, it would still not be accepted by the Palestinians. Until the Palestinians accept the reality of the Jewish state, Israel must remain strong. And if some of its politicians say inappropriate things, they can be excused for overreacting to an intolerable situation, which, by the way, is exactly what the Palestinians want.
Larry Shapiro
Calgary, Alberta
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