Letters to the Editor

This article is from the archive of The New York Sun before the launch of its new website in 2022. The Sun has neither altered nor updated such articles but will seek to correct any errors, mis-categorizations or other problems introduced during transfer.

The New York Sun
NY Sun
NEW YORK SUN CONTRIBUTOR

Campaign Pictures


Re: “Weiner Showcases Photos From Bar Mitzvah in Mailing,” New York Desk, August 10, 2005. I see that campaign literature of all the major Democratic candidates for mayor show pictures of them in various garments signifying something personal and special in their lives. Anthony Weiner presents his bar mitzvah photo. Fernando Ferrer features his high school graduation photo. C. Virginia Fields shows a photo of her singing in a choir. I, for one, would love to see any of them, including the incumbent, present a photo of him/her wearing a uniform from any branch of the military.


BOB ESPOSITO
Manhattan


‘Blue, White, and Orange’


Re: “Blue, White, and Orange,” Editorial, August 12, 2005. Reading this past Friday’s editorial in The New York Sun almost brought one to tears. Your unabashed support of Israel in these trying times, especially when anti-Semitism is on the rise and Israel-bashing in the media is all the rage, was most heartening. Given that this editorial came out right before the Jewish day of national mourning, Tisha B’Av, it was a much-needed shot in the arm.


However, we must take exception to your portrayal of Prime Minister Sharon as being part of an honorable tradition, as this disengagement and everything about it has nothing to do with honor. You mention Begin and Rabin in your editorial. Yes, they made sacrifices, but they were based on promises, handshakes, documents, all of which were potentially credible at the time and with a slim hope that peace may be at hand. Those sacrifices could, by stretching the imagination, be classified as honorable or even heroic. The same cannot be said of Mr. Sharon’s retreat, yes retreat, from Gush Katif. And yes, Gush Katif, not Gaza. Rabin had already handed Gaza over to the Palestinian Authority. Gush Katif is not Gaza. Indeed, if one checks a map, one will find the Israeli city of Ashkelon closer to Gaza than Gush Katif.


There was no partner here, no empty handshake on the White House lawn, no compelling national reason to do this. Some speculate that the United States was driving this, yet it was Mr. Sharon who had to convince a wary President Bush, et al., that this was a strategically sound move and that the whole of Gaza would not turn into the terror cesspool it most certainly will become if the Israeli presence from Gush Katif is removed. None of the reasons Mr. Sharon gave for this retreat hold water.


JAY GOLD, M.D.
Manhigut Yehudit
Hempstead, N.Y.


The New York Sun editorial “Blue, White, and Orange” did not fully explain the reason why “on the wall of the editorial room of this newspaper hangs a painting of the shelling of the Altalena.” After all, you could have chosen a painting of the raid on Entebbe or the Six Day War instead. So allow me please to try and explain why that painting of the Altalena hangs in your office.


Like all good Jewish boys, Menachem Begin was raised on the admonition that the Jewish defenders lost the battle of Jerusalem to the Romans because they fought among themselves. Afterward, in exile, the Jewish penchant for self-destruction lay dormant for almost 2,000 years. Yet even after Begin’s May 15 radio announcement disbanding the Irgun, even after formally signing the June 1 treaty that incorporated the Irgun fighters into the Haganah, three weeks later the cruel threat to dissolve the Jewish state in civil war reappeared.


Sixteen men died aboard the Altalena and 72 were wounded. The weapons and ammunition necessary to guarantee the survival of the infant state were blown out of the water. And once again Jews learned that losses sustained fighting your enemy are understandable. But losses sustained fighting yourself are inexcusable.


It was Winston Churchill who called the British determination to rally during the Blitz “England’s finest hour.” For similar reasons, many believe the effort to maintain Jewish unity during the Altalena crisis was Israel’s finest hour. For it was on board the Altalena that one man made the decision that Israel would never again be lost to Jewish infighting. It was on board the Altalena that Menachem Begin set the standard for every Jewish leader who would follow in his wake.


Today, as friends and supporters of Israel brace for the consequences of the Gaza giveback, we are all sailing on the Altalena. We know the Gaza giveback is a terrible price to pay for a peace that will not be. We know it is tragic for Jewish soldiers to evict Jews from their homes, eradicate synagogues, and disturb Jewish graves. We fear this trauma will only lead to more bloodshed. But like passengers aboard the Altalena, we are helpless to avoid this tragedy.


Today on Tisha Ba’v, as we commemorate the destruction of the temple almost 2,000 years ago, we also shed tears for the residents of Gush Katif who are scheduled to be evicted from their homes this week. But it is far better to shed tears than to shed blood.


It was on board the Altalena that Menachem Begin turned Israel’s darkest episode into her shining hour. Let his memory strengthen the residents of Gush Katif to leave their homes with dignity and courage so we may prove to the world that Jewish unity will not be compromised by the decision to vacate Gaza. And may it be the decision of the people that a future leader of Israel be chosen from among the ranks of those who made this heroic sacrifice on behalf of the Jewish people.


RICHARD REISMAN
Bergenfield, N.Y.

NY Sun
NEW YORK SUN CONTRIBUTOR

This article is from the archive of The New York Sun before the launch of its new website in 2022. The Sun has neither altered nor updated such articles but will seek to correct any errors, mis-categorizations or other problems introduced during transfer.


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