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Jewish Press Letters

This week's Jewish Press has published five letters in response to my column last week. Below are the letters and my responses:

1. I found Joseph Schick`s article (Defending Israel's Right To Secure Borders, Dec. 12) to be a valuable historical lesson. But while few would deny the wording and intent of Resolution 242, the sad fact is that not a single American administration since 1948 has embraced the idea of a "greater Israel." At the risk of sounding heretical, Bill Clinton came closer than anyone. President Bush is not even a close second. And Mr. Schick does not offer anything to counter the apparent reality that the U.S., as far as Israel is concerned, is the only game in town. Sheldon Katz Miami, FL

The column did not primarily relate to 242; the references to that Resolution evidenced the fact that Israel has a right to retain territory beyond the '67 borders. Furthermore, Mr. Katz's reference to "greater Israel" is not relevant to the column, since I was not arguing on behalf of Israeli annexation all of Judea and Samaria. There is clearly a large gap between Greater Israel and something like the Geneva Accord.

As for my not offering "anything to counter the argument that the U.S. ... is the only game in town," I did not know any such argument was (or would be) made, so obviously did not counter it. The column did quote five U.S. secretaries of state, and two Presidents, recognizing the importance of the United States position.

2. Given the length of Joseph Schick`s article, it would have been nice if he spent a few lines focusing on the dilemma that has confronted every Israeli government: what to do with the hundreds of thousands of Palestinians who live there. Perhaps the Pereses and Beilins of the world are more in touch with reality than the Schicks. Certainly they deserve better than to be portrayed as craven appeasers. Helene Hymowitz (Via E-Mail)

The column touched upon the demographic issue in stating that Israel could annex 30 percent of Judea and Samaria without incorporating more than a small number of Palestinians within its borders. It is not my responsibility to focus on the demographic issue in an article relating to something entirely different. As for Hymowitz's statement that Peres and Beilin "deserve better than to be portrayed as craven appeasers," I have no idea how the article portrayed either of them in that way. Peres was not mentioned at all, Beilin was mentioned once, in passing, and the words appease, appeaser, or appeasement never appeared. I explained why the Geneva Accord is unacceptable, and Hymowitz can disagree if she wishes, but she has no right to criticize me for something that is not in the column. If, as is likely, her problem is with the Jewish Press generally, she shoud complain to, or about, the paper, not about me.

3. Joseph Schick is like many of us in the Jewish community. We seem to think that the world is the Jewish people writ large. It may surprise us that out there in the boonies, there is scant support for Israeli triumphalism even as there is support for Israel as a home for the Jews. We mix the two notions at our peril. Miles Glassman New York, NY

This should be Protocols' Stupid Letter of the Week, though it probably won't be because without reading my column (and I don't know that the Elders did), one would not be aware of the extent of its stupidity. Never did I express anything resembling "Israeli triumphalism." Nor did I convey anything that could possibly be construed as a belief that "the world is the Jewish people writ large." Glassman was either referring to somebody else's column, or had three drinks too many at his company's holiday party.

4. At long last a carefully presented, cogent statement of Israel`s rights in Judea and Samaria. We should all now resolve to bring this message to Washington and our elected officials: We will not be misled by political and diplomatic chicanery. Thank you, Joseph Schick, for a well-researched, well-written article. I've waited for something like this for a long, long time and e-mailed it to several friends and relatives. David Perlmutter (Via E-Mail)

Thanks very much, David. Like you, I also had a long wait - until the fourth letter for something complimentary.

5. Armed with Mr. Schick's vast arsenal of quotes taken straight from the mouths of so many diplomats, leaders and other notables, I already have forced several of my leftist friends to reconsider their cherished little myths. Articles like Mr. Schick's are what make The Jewish Press stand out. Carl Aptowitz (Via E-Mail)

Hopefully Carl's letter won't get the Protocols award as a result of the last sentence. Anyway, Carl's "leftist friends" need not necessarily change their political affiliations. As I explained in great detail, permanent retention of an undivided Jerusalem, the entire Jordan Valley, Gush Etzion, and various settlement blocs is consistent with the policy of Prime Minister Rabin. Those with left-wing leanings should support territorial compromise along the lines of Labor's historical positions prior to 2000.
posted on 12/17/2003