Letters to the editor
Readers respond
Op-ed decrying relocation of Gazans ‘ignores reality’
I read the opinion piece “My Jewish family was forced out of our homeland. We must not let Gazans suffer the same fate”(Feb. 14). In that article I recognized the love of a Jew for his fellow human being, resulting in the author’s empathy with the situation in Gaza. The expulsion of Jews from Muslim countries, which resulted in their loss of traditions and their assimilation into secular Israeli society was, and still is, a huge loss to our entire people.
However, I see no equivalence between the peace-loving productive Jews of Iraq and Tunisia to the radicalized and destructive population of Gaza. Believing there is a small evil governing body called Hamas who rules over an oppressed peaceful population of Palestinians is what we would like to believe. However, our soldiers have been there and testified to munitions in every hospital, school, mosque and home. Our hostages found no sympathy from Gazan civilians. Instead they tell of being spit upon by children.
Hamas was initially voted in by a majority. Polls today show they remain popular, as does the “resistance” of Oct. 7. Palestinians do not hide their objectives. Ask them. They chant them regularly. They have no wish to live side by side with a Jewish state. They wish to replace the Jewish state — by any means necessary.
There is precedent for post-war relocation and dispersion of violent populations, with some success stories. I wonder if that is even possible here, given that the violence is rooted in religious ideology, something I would think is much harder to eradicate. It is also clear that the surrounding Muslim nations, knowing full well the destructive nature of the Palestinians and their potential to destabilize their own countries, are refusing to take them in. So, the solutions are clearly not easy. But to say that the idea of relocation is cruel, and that the current population can remain and live with “security, dignity and self-determination” is to ignore reality and engage in wishful thinking. Israel can no longer afford to do that. In truth, Israel never could.
Miriam Weiss
Pittsburgh
In the face of depravity, choose life
How do we write about something so sad that no words can express the depth of sadness? How do we write about something so barbaric that no words can describe the depravity? Of course, we can’t. The tragic circumstances that we face at this time simply cannot be adequately described or explained.
So we try to move forward. Slowly, but with purpose. Forward, and not backward. Even when there are no words or answers, we move on, forward.
The kidnapping and murders of 4-year-old Ariel and 9-month-old Kfir is more than heartbreaking, but we can’t let it be soul-breaking, for then the barbarians will have torn down the gates (“Israel grieves as bodies said to be of hostages Shiri, Ariel and Kfir Bibas, Oded Lifshitz return from Gaza,” online Feb. 20).
There are actions we can take, which will be advanced by others, which are meaningful and should be embraced: Resolve disputes, take on more mitzvot, learn more Torah, commit more acts of gemilut hasadim (kindness to others), visit the sick, contribute more tzedakah. I’d like to add another.
Those who seek to destroy us physically and emotionally need to know that they cannot succeed and that to the contrary, we only grow stronger. Perhaps even more so, we need to internalize and understand that as well. We need to choose life. I suggest and urge: Have more babies.
So for those of us capable of having a baby, no matter how few or how many you may now have, have a baby. Thought you were through? Have another. Unable to conceive and gave up? Hard as it may be, keep trying. Name the baby after Ariel, Kfir, one of those murdered on Oct. 7, or a soldier who has died on our behalf. Don’t wait. Now is the time. And as that child grows up, teach the child who he or she has been named after and let the child know that because of him or her, those who have died have not died in vain.
And for those of us who can’t fulfill this suggestion, let’s support those who can in whatever way possible — financially, emotionally, spiritually. Support fertility clinics such as the Jewish Fertility Foundation. Support the Jewish education of our children. Make sure we act as role models for our children to ensure not just Jewish continuity, but rather Jewish growth and strength. Let’s all be part of defeating the barbarians.
Charles H. Saul
Pittsburgh
Charles H. Saul is a Chronicle board member.
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