Letters to the editor
Readers respond
Shame on Summer Lee
So Summer Lee was only one of nine votes against a resolution that read “The State of Israel is not a racist or apartheid state, Congress rejects all forms of antisemitism and xenophobia, and the United States will always be a staunch partner and supporter of Israel,” a resolution that had 412 votes in favor (“Summer Lee votes ‘no’ on resolution backing Israel,” online July 19, this issue Page 7).
And yet she claims to “represent” a district that includes Squirrel Hill and its large Jewish population.
Shame on her, and I hope that every Jew who voted for her will reconsider their vote
when she faces the voters again in the next congressional election.
Michael Roteman
Pittsburgh
‘Buyer’s remorse’ for electing Summer Lee?
I wonder if the Jewish voters who gave Rep. Summer Lee (D-PA) their support in the last election are now feeling “buyer’s remorse” after yet another House vote in which she voted, together with the members of the Squad, NOT to reject the calling of Israel a “racist state” (“Summer Lee votes ‘no’ on resolution backing Israel,” online July 19, this issue Page 7). This characterization was made by Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-WA), but even she walked it back — albeit after a firestorm of protests. But not Rep. Lee, who was among nine representatives who voted against the resolution (412-9-1). I recommend that all in her district write to Rep. Lee and tell her that her fringe progressive views on Israel do not represent your own on proudly supporting the state of Israel.
Eli Seidman
Squirrel Hill
Don’t ‘bite the hand that feeds you’
There has been an outpouring of comments and concern raised regarding the recent Health Department inspection at Murray Avenue Kosher (“Consumer alert posted at Murray Avenue Kosher,” July 14).
It is a family-run business that has been the keystone of the kosher market in Pittsburgh for decades. It is not in this position because it has some sort of monopoly on the market (it doesn’t —there are numerous other options for kosher food and meat including Costco, Giant Eagle, Trader Joe’s and countless online retailers), but rather because in a city with a relatively small demand for kosher food, it has consistently been creative in keeping a fresh variety of every kosher essential, and much more. All that, while keeping prices comparable with cities such as New York and Chicago — and sometimes even beating the prices of the larger kosher markets.
If you were ever in the food industry, you’d know that it’s rare for a Health Department inspection not to find any issues of concern. The fact that MAK had more than just one issue noted, and some that seemed worrisome to many, is simply an indication that corrections need to be made. Any suggestions of carelessness is speculative at best. Knowing the owners, I’d venture to say it’s sloppy speculation. They are nothing but honorable, caring and understanding, and I am confident that they will take whatever corrective measures are necessary.
If you have a good suggestion, instead of stomping on a family-run business and essential community resource while it’s down, pick up the phone and offer your assistance.
If you think you can do it better yourself, it’s a free market — take a shot at it. But think long and hard before you bite the hand that feeds you.
Rabbi Henoch Rosenfeld
Squirrel Hill
Palestinian Authority must stop abusing youth
Your article about Israeli President Isaac Herzog’s speech to Congress quoted him as saying, “The younger generation of Israelis and Palestinians deserve better. They are all worthy of a future to look towards, a future of peace and prosperity.” (“In speech to Congress, Herzog lauds strong judiciary, says democracy in Israel’s DNA,” online July 21).
President Herzog was absolutely right. Young Israelis deserve to grow up in a world where they are not murdered for the “crime” of being Jews. In just the past few days, Palestinian Arab terrorists stabbed a young Israeli man 20 times in the Jerusalem neighborhood of Gilo, attempted to run over a group of young Israeli soldiers near Sebastia and seriously injured a young Israeli shepherd near the town of Nahaliel.
And young Palestinian Arabs deserve better, too. They deserve to grow up in a world where their government, the Palestinian Authority, doesn’t name streets, parks and sports tournaments after terrorists. Where their schools don’t teach them that the highest goal in life is “martyrhood,” to be achieved by dying while killing Jews. And where their summer camps do not consist of paramilitary training and skits about kidnapping and murdering Jews.
At the 2005 AIPAC Policy Conference, then-Sen. Hillary Clinton said that the Palestinian Authority was trying to “create a new generation of terrorists” through its summer camps. “Using children as pawns in a political process is tantamount to child abuse, and we must say it has to end now,” Clinton said, emphasizing that PA chairman Mahmoud Abbas “must be held accountable.”
President Herzog and Sen. Clinton were right. But will the international community ever heed their words, and compel the PA to stop abusing Palestinian Arab children?
Stephen M. Flatow
New York, New York
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