A clandestine undertaking on behalf of Israel, the Jets and the Jews.

 
Fanaticism

In a Jewish Press column last week, Steven Plaut referred to Baruch Goldstein - the man who murdered 29 Arabs in Hebron in 1994 - as a "fanatic."

This week two Jewish Press readers criticize Plaut in letters to the editor.

The second of the two letters is especially extreme. The reader wrote:

Baruch Goldstein "a fanatic"? How could you, Mr. Plaut? I always look forward to reading your columns in The Jewish Press and agree with almost everything you write. Therefore I never thought the day would come when I`d feel as betrayed as I did upon seeing the epithet you used in reference to a man who was an ish gibor — a mighty man of Israel.

Dr. Goldstein was privy to murderous plots being hatched by the so-called peaceful worshipers in that mosque, and he acted upon the rabbinic dictum "If one comes to kill you, arise and slay him first."

To make amends to the blessed memory of Dr. Goldstein, Mr. Plaut needs to issue a public apology to the family of Baruch Goldstein (may Hashem avenge His servant`s blood).

Even if it were true that "murderous plots" were "being hatched" by the very same Arabs that Goldstein murdered (and it isn't), Goldstein's actions were far from an effective response, especially given that the IDF exists to defend Israel. Goldstein's terrorist act resulted in Palestinian terror gaining support among Arabs and legitimacy among Europeans, and in Jews being banned from the main sanctuary in Maarot Hamachpela (the Cave of the Patriarchs) except for a few days a year.

Plaut - in a very rare position as the relative leftist - responded well, stating:

"I am taken to task for describing Baruch Goldstein as a 'fanatic.' In Genesis 25:9, Isaac and Ishmael bury Abraham together in the Hebron cave, Ishmael letting Isaac go first in noteworthy politeness. Isaac did not pull out an assault rifle and gun down Ishmael while he was praying there. A Jew who guns down unarmed praying descendants of Ishmael in the same spot may be deserving of adjectives other than 'fanatic,' but I doubt The Jewish Press would print them."
posted on 9/01/2004