I don’t mean to trivialize the death toll that would result from a classic Israeli military confrontation with Hamas, Hizbullah and ISIS. However, I do believe it is clear that Israel could resoundingly defeat them collectively in battle, destroying their military, economic, and political institutions – even if they are not totally eliminated and survive as terrorist threats.
This was the lesson of Operation Protective Edge against Hamas in Gaza and the Second Lebanon War of 2006 against Hizbullah.
Asher Silverman
Beersheba, Israel
MTA’s Ad Stance
Re “Pro-Israel Group to Sue MTA Over Rejected Ad” (news story, Sept. 26):
I hope the lawsuit challenging the rejection by New York City’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s of a proposed ad criticizing Islamic extremism – apparently because it quoted a Muslim religious leader who said “Killing Jews Is Worship That Draws Us Close To Allah” – goes forward.
The absurd reason given by the MTA for the rejection – that the ad could be seen as a call to violence against Jews – just doesn’t pass the smell test. How can you exercise your free-speech right to criticize without being able to explain what it is you are being critical of?
Marc Steinberg
New York, NY
House Resolution
I applaud the bipartisan resolution passed by the House of Representatives (news story, Sept. 26) condemning the growing phenomenon of targeting Jews “as an acceptable expression of disapproval or frustration over political events in the Middle East or elsewhere.”
People are free to disagree with the policies of state of Israel, but linking Jews around the world to that disagreement simply because they are Jewish is rank and mindless anti-Semitism and should be seen as such.
Lee Roth
(Via E-Mail)
Conceding A Nuclear Iran
I think all the continuing hand wringing over Iran’s gaming the international system is just beating a dead horse (“Iran Stalemate,” editorial, Sept. 26).
Let’s face it. President Obama has already conceded the point of a nuclear Iran and is just looking for a face-saving way to sell it to Americans. He is certainly no longer thinking – if he ever even remotely did – of using military force to stop the Iranians.
Margaret Charles
(Via E-Mail)
Meaningful Meeting
As far as I’m concerned, the most meaningful event at the United Nations General Assembly was the meeting between the prime ministers of Israel and India. This will hopefully lead to closer ties between India and Israel – ties that will lead to great accomplishments in trade, political goodwill, and scientific achievements.
Both India and Israel are focused on cutting edge technology and both are democracies in the true sense of the word. The UN is worthless as an official body but the informal, private meetings between world leaders that take place every year while the General Assembly is in session go a long way toward fostering better relations among nations.
Batya Koenigsberg
Jerusalem