Letters, November 19, 2010
Security Council’s moral vacuum exposed
THE United Nations Security Council Resolution 1674 states that there is a “responsibility to protect populations from … war crimes … and crimes against humanity”. This motion exemplifies the integrity, or lack thereof, of the UN Security Council; Hezbollah commits war crimes against Israel on a regular basis, and is actually represented on the Security Council by Lebanon as a non-permanent member.
It is further unsettling that Canada was rejected as a non-permanent member of the Security Council. Canada is the only country aside from Israel and the US that has recognised Hezbollah as an entirely terrorist organisation.
Canada’s elimination juxtaposed to Lebanon’s seat indicates the Security Council’s morals have slipped. It is hard to envision the Security Council maintaining “international peace and security” while one of its members calls for the destruction of Israel. If the UN as a whole is sincere in its pursuit of peace, they would expel Lebanon for war crimes, and vote humane countries onto its Security Council.
Philip Rothschild
Caulfield North, Vic
JNF does not share views espoused by Gaita
IT is unfortunate that The AJN coverage of last week’s successful Jewish National Fund (JNF) NSW Negev Campaign function panel discussion on “Morality in War” focused extensively on some of the views — views that certainly are not shared by the JNF — of one specific panelist, Prof Raimond Gaita, who was just one of a panel of five that also included moderator Jana Wendt, Major General Ya’akov Amidror, Major General¬† Jim Molan and Colonel Richard Kemp (05/11).
Prof Gaita was invited in good faith by JNF NSW leadership to provide the perspective of an eminent ethicist — a perspective that the other panelists welcomed.
What is regrettable is that while Prof Gaita is entitled to his views, due to time constraints and respect by the other panelists towards opinions that were not necessarily theirs, nobody rose to challenge some of Prof Gaita’s remarks.
JNF is an apolitical organisation and the aim of our leadership was purely to provide a stimulating evening that would encourage attendees to contribute towards our vital Negev projects that create life-sustaining opportunities in the inhospitable areas that make up the bulk of the State of Israel.
It would be a great tragedy if the success of the evening and the staunch support of our friends were to be marred by Prof Gaita’s comments and the JNF certainly regrets any offence that such remarks caused to all who recognise the ongoing attempts by successive governments in Israel to reach a peace accord with its neighbours.
Grahame J Leonard
Federal president, JNF Australia
A wake up call for President Obama
IS he is or is he ain’t? US President Barack Obama — a pragmatist or an ideologue?
The clue follows hot on the heels of the Democrats’ midterm mauling. Among Obama’s first actions were to make renewed efforts to embrace the Muslim world and to slam Israel for building in Jerusalem.
Israel took risks for peace in the Oslo process, but now, as Dvir Abramovich (AJN 05/11) warns us, further concessions without reciprocal Palestinian compromises would be folly. Yes, President Obama, the settlements are linked to the peace process — only when the Palestinians come looking for peace should Israel stop building.
Paul Rozental
South Melbourne, Vic
Turning a blind eye to Egypt’s border
I AM much gratified to note that at last it has been noticed that Gaza has a border with Egypt where trade goes on only via tunnels, illegally. Even legitimate trade goods like food, medicine and building materials have to be smuggled in.
How is it that the question has never been asked why a country supposedly friendly to the Palestinians bars all normal trade that could benefit both sides but keeps the border tightly sealed? (Only turning a blind eye to the smuggling tunnels.)
Also, I cannot help wondering why it has taken the media so long to notice the existence of this border.
It is still Israel only who is deemed guilty of shutting those poor people in.
Adrienne Schwartz
Darling Point, NSW
Shining a light on Australian adoptions
IT was wonderful to read about adoption in the Australian Jewish community, particularly during National Adoption Awareness Week (AJN 12/11). Many Jewish Australian families are joyfully formed through local and overseas adoption.
I was however, concerned about the title “Abandoned No More”, and the possible negative connotations associated with this wording.
Many local Australian adoptees and overseas adoptees were not abandoned, but were relinquished by their birth parent(s). Local Australian adoptees can have contact with their birth parents up to four times a year. South Korean adoptees are beautifully loved and cared for by their foster parents from six weeks of age until they are handed over to their adopted families.
Adoption is a very challenging and slow process. However, I am happy to say that since my son, Benjamin, joined my family, he has given us all so much happiness and nachas.
Susan Wise
Ormond, Vic
Recognising a woman’s worth
IN reference to the “Your Say” section of The AJN (05/11), I have found the question “Does Judaism discriminate against women?” to be significantly discriminatory in itself.
My return to a heimishe life, from a secular one, was purely out of choice. My decision, which bore deep questions for me, considerably attributed major changes to family life, community involvement and opened the door to authentic Jewish education. This has brought a much more informed and wholesome understanding of the rights of women, and their very important role in Judaism.
I too was naïve and considered for many years that educated Jewish women had very little place in Judaism if they wanted to express their full and equalidentity.
I felt that my grandparents’ generation was old-fashioned and no longer identifiable to a younger generation. Then I realised how impudent and arrogant I had become.
After the loss of the strongest Jewish matriarch of my family, I realised that if I didn’t explore my Judaic heritage, then nothing would be left to my children, thereby facing Jewish extinction.
Doesn’t the Shoah remind us that it is our inherent responsibility to rightfully teach and carry the flame of Judaism so that nothing is lost?
Judaism identifies the woman as the most significant factor in Jewish identity. As a woman, I have found in observant Judaism a formidable platform in which to express myself. It is not about the division of the sexes, but how both females and males have the opportunity to express their individual strengths. Because I choose to dress modestly as my grandmother did means that I choose to have the utmost respect for my family and my environment. But most of all, it is the greatest respect to my own feminine individuality that is shared with Jews and non-Jews alike.
Melanie Velik
Prahran , Vic
Sheikh should not overlook the facts
I WAS interested to read that Sheikh Haisam Farache, notwithstanding his interest in interfaith relations, still finds himself obligated to support the Palestinian cause in the Arab-Israeli conflict (AJN 05/11).
It’s not surprising, of course, but let’s not forget the truth. It’s a truth that Israel was lawfully established after a world war, just as Lebanon, Syria, Iraq and Transjordan were. It’s a truth that the Palestinians could also have had their state, both then and now, had they chosen to accept Israel’s presence in the Middle East.
And it’s also a truth that as Dvir Abramovich recounted in The AJN (05/11), the Palestinians have preferred to engage in over 60 years of rejectionism and violence rather than negotiate a peaceful settlement to the conflict.
I have no reason to think that Sheikh Farache is anything other than a decent human being, but there are some truths in the Arab-Israeli conflict that you just can’t ignore.
Alan Freedman
St Kilda East, Vic
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