Letters to the editor

Jewish Pittsburghers should not be silent in the face of politicians’ anti-Israel sentiments
In his recent opinion piece, Rabbi Mark Goodman asserted that the time that “local politicians went out of their way to defend and protect the Jewish community…has more or less passed” (“We might not like it, but local politicians have a right to criticize Israel,” Sept. 6).

The first reason he gives is because “Israel’s heavy-handed and endless war in Gaza… has rendered [Israel] unpopular.”

The second reason, he opines, is the way the Jewish community has reacted to local politics.

The suggestion that it is excusable for local politicians to be less inclined to defend and protect the local Jewish community because of decisions of the Israeli government is very concerning.

Furthermore, if this is the sentiment among certain local politicians, what reaction would be expected from the Jewish community?

I am all for open and respectful dialogue, but can the Jewish community allow itself to sit in silence and accept politicians who no longer feel the need to go out of their way to “protect the Jewish community”?

Rabbi Goodman references the petition for an anti-Israel referendum that was recently defeated. Although he says he “was glad it was defeated” he adds that he was “profoundly uncomfortable with the rhetoric and the dialogue around it.”

I am not sure which rhetoric he is referring to, and it is possible that there was rhetoric which would also concern me. But by and large, were it not for the activism of the local Jewish leaders and the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh (whom he calls upon to exercise caution), we may be having a different conversation — a conversation about Jewish Pittsburgh dealing with an extremely antisemitic referendum on November’s ballot.

While I agree that a positive long-term relationship with local government should be sought, I strongly disagree with Rabbi Goodman’s suggestion that the Jewish community of Pittsburgh is somehow responsible for his observation that local politicians no longer go out of their way to protect and defend the Jewish community.

Rabbi Henoch Rosenfeld
Pittsburgh

To achieve peace, Israel must stand firm
Everyone, Jews and non-Jews, politicians and rabbis, have a right to criticize Israel. What they don’t have is a “right” to amplify the propaganda spewed by the U.S.-designated terrorist organization Hamas and expect us to swallow it without question (“We might not like it, but local politicians have a right to criticize Israel,” Sept. 6).

In his op-ed, Rabbi Mark Goodman references “Israel’s heavy-handed war in Gaza” and “aimless violence” and says that Israel is not conducting the war “morally.” Colonel Richard Kemp, former commander of British Forces in Afghanistan, fought in combat zones around the world and was in Gaza throughout the 2014 conflict. Presumably, he is a man who understands war. Kemp has publicly and unequivocally stated, “Based on my experience and observation, the IDF does more to safeguard the rights of civilians in a combat zone than any other army in the history of warfare.”

As for the specious claim of “aimless violence”: Please remember, Israel did not start this war. Oct. 7 was the deadliest day for Jews since the Holocaust. Are we expected to “go like sheep to the slaughter” and then be again blamed for not defending ourselves? The way to prevent repeated attacks, which Hamas has boasted it will do again and again, is by completely defeating Hamas. This will end the war.

Regarding the claim that “it is evident to many” that Israel’s objectives toward Gaza can only be obtained through diplomacy rather than war: Please remember, in a desire for peace, Israel completely left Gaza in 2005, removing all settlements and turning the country over to Gazans who elected Hamas, a terrorist organization. Hamas then began a 19-year attack, shelling the communities on Israel’s side of the border, culminating in the brutal, sadistic attack against civilians on Oct. 7, breaking the cease-fire that was in place at the time.

To quote the Lubavitcher Rebbe, “…past experience proved that retreating from territory does not serve to soften the enemy, but is interpreted as weakness and an invitation for additional pressure.” That is what we are seeing now. The more Israel capitulates, the more Hamas demands. The more Israel stands firm, the more chance there is for real peace, which is what every Israeli Jew wants.

Simone Shapiro
Squirrel Hill

Everyone is entitled to oppose Israel’s actions in Gaza
Rabbi Mark Goodman’s op-ed was the most reasonable and important piece I have read in the Chronicle since Oct 7 (“We might not like it, but local politicians have a right to criticize Israel,” Sept. 6).

Yes, we support Israel’s right to exist. Yes, we mourn for those who died on Oct 7. And, yes, we want the hostages home.

But there are many Jews and non-Jews who vehemently oppose the Netanyahu regime’s mass murder of innocents and total destruction of their country. Everyone, including our elected officials, are entitled to these very humane feelings and words without being labeled antisemitic or anti-Zionist. I applaud them.

Ellie Siegal
Belle Acres, Pennsylvania

Is Israel’s military approach the best option?
Each week, the Chronicle prints eloquent articles and opinion pieces on the war in Israel/Gaza. Most of them follow a consistent theme: The safety and future of Jews here and around the world depends on solidarity with Israel and ongoing support for its war in Gaza and its actions in the West Bank (for example, “Standing up to the Noise,” Sept. 6).

Since last Oct. 7, more than 1500 Israelis and 40,000 Palestinians have died, many of them non-combatant women and children. Thousands more have been disabled for life. According to some Israeli military and intelligence leaders, it is unlikely that this has had much impact on thwarting future actions against Israel and, in fact, may be having the opposite effect. Moreover, even the most passionate supporters of Israel’s actions know that previous wars between Israel and the Palestinians have not produced long-term safety for either side. There is ongoing concern within Israel, the United States and around the world about this military approach — where Israel has overwhelming power compared to the Palestinians — versus a political/diplomatic approach, which would necessitate compromise to bring on a better future for everyone. The debate asks which of these approaches respects our time-honored values: democracy, equality, human rights, safety and prosperity for us and all the world’s communities.

Judging by the majority of articles and letters in the Chronicle, the Pittsburgh Jewish community favors continuation of Israel’s military approach. I would pose the following question: Over the past 75 years, has this worked? Has it made Jews safer? Is it bringing us support in the eyes of the world?

As we approach our sacred time of annual self-reflection, should we not at least take a few moments to ask ourselves: Is there a better way?

Robert Kraftowitz
Point Breeze

Can evil be ‘nuanced’?
Yasher koach to Ellen Roteman for her excellent response to Sen. John Fetterman’s spokeswoman Cindy Adams, who felt compelled to tell an interviewer that she did not agree with her boss on Israel and Gaza (“Fetterman staffer’s ‘nuanced’ views not so nuanced,” Aug. 30). Ms., Adams went on to explain that she belonged to the more “insightful” younger generation whose views of the region are “much more nuanced.”

I would like to add and point out to Ms. Adams that there is no “nuance” in evil, the likes of which is the hallmark of Hamas. We recently witnessed this evil, in all its horror, with the brutal murder of six beautiful Jewish souls, held hostage for over 300 days, as they were about to be rescued. Once again, Ms. Adams, Hamas’ ideology and tactics represent pure evil. There is no “nuance’’ here!

Helene Wishnev
Pittsburgh