Letters to the editor
Readers respond
West Bank mayhem
What is it going to take for there to be a crackdown on the Israeli West Bank settlers who are terrorizing not only their Palestinian neighbors, but dignitaries and journalists who visit the area? (“Amid outrage, Netanyahu claims no ‘compelling evidence’ settlers attacked European diplomats,” online, Oct. 18.) Perhaps it will require ousting a prime minister who has made common cause with right-wing extremists who are harming Israel and Jews throughout the world.
In the United States during the pre-civil rights era, southern Blacks feared for their lives as they could be threatened, injured, or killed with law enforcement not only uninterested in halting the activity, but often participating in it. What continues to take place in Israel is reminiscent of that ugly era in our history as settlers who perpetrate crimes are rarely held accountable.
In one of the latest incidents, a Washington Post reporter on assignment in the West Bank was attacked and severely injured. The altercation was filmed. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that what he saw in the video was very disturbing. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu seeks to downplay all settler violence, including this incident, stating only that he will look into it. He has erroneously written off prior incidents as the actions of a handful of troublemakers.
When innocent Palestinians living lawfully in the West Bank are terrorized, their property destroyed or seized, or are injured or killed, not only are grave injustices allowed to occur, but the risk of terrorist incidents in Israel and elsewhere is heightened. It must stop.
Oren Spiegler
Peters Township
Bring the Jewish community together in joy, not just sorrow
I have been concerned over the past few decades that we in the American Jewish community only seem to gather in large numbers when a threatening circumstance presents itself, or to commemorate a negative and sad experience in Jewish history (“Oct. 7 commemoration encourages community to reflect and ‘live meaningfully,’” Oct. 16). Those two factors cannot, and should not be ignored, but it would be wonderful if large collective gatherings could be held to celebrate the beauty and richness of our Jewish heritage. The Pittsburgh Jewish community does come together at Shavuot for Tikkun Leil Shavuot, but that only involves teens and adults.
As a parent and former sixth grade teacher I worry that our children see us come together in times of need and sadness, but not in a collective gathering of joyous celebration. The Shoah should never be forgotten and the alarming rise of antisemitism and the horrors that Israel experiences must be addressed and discussed, but there is also such a bright light that should be focused on our history as a people. Jews have always comprised a very small percentage of the world’s population, and yet, we have greatly enriched world history.
Synagogue Hebrew schools and Jewish day schools work creatively and tirelessly in educating the next Jewish generation of children about the richness and beauty of Judaism, which enables them to experience the joy of being Jewish. Certainly, there must be a way for us to come together as a community to create a warm shared Jewish experience.
Howard Meyerowitz
Pittsburgh
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