Not sorry to see Joe go
Joe Lieberman was/is, in the Yiddish word, a “frumak” (“Lieberman built bridges for over a decade — and then burned them right and left,” Jan. 28). A “frumak” is a hypocrite: his piety is false. This is the person who comfortably twisted himself for any cause on any side for his personal political profit.
Joe supported wars in which he never served. He cast loud judgments on Clinton although, as Jews, we leave such judgments to a superior being.
Ever in the spotlight for his own political gain, this “frumak” is a disgrace. Good riddance.
Ruth Gordon, Cloverdale
We all want a secure Israel
The draft U.N. resolution statement that may be submitted by Palestinians to the Security Council later this year is in line with U.S. policy on settlements across eight bipartisan administrations. If Israel were to stop settlement growth and the U.S. assert bolder vision, the resolution would not be submitted.
Loyalty has many ingredients. J Street certainly sees the Israeli-Palestinian conflict as one among many dynamics in the Middle East, but also understands that this is the time for loyalty to the vision of Israel as a democracy, side by side with a Palestinian state.
Who among us wants less than a secure, democratic Israel? Let us agree to disagree on strategy, but not demonize one another for our different takes on what will bring peace and justice.
Molly Freeman, Berkeley, J Street S.F. Bay Area
Settlements mean status quo
Rep. Gary Ackerman severed ties with J Street after it urged Israel last month to put forth its own peace initiative to prevent the U.N. Security Council from voting on a resolution calling for Israel to halt settlement building in Palestinian territories. But if the Security Council does vote on the resolution, J Street opposes a U.S. veto — which would sharply compromise U.S. credibility in the region, since the proposed resolution mirrors 40 years of American policy.
Ackerman’s reaction is, however, understandable; many American Jews resist any perceived criticism of Israel. To be sure, no one who loves Israel wishes to see such a resolution.
However, it’s also true that a negotiated peace based on a two-state solution is supported by a majority of American Jews and a majority of Israelis. But as settlement building continues there are no negotiations, and without negotiations there’s no settlement, and without a settlement the status quo continues. An unstable stalemate is not good for Israeli security, and not good for American standing in the Middle East.
The events taking place in Tunisia and Egypt highlight the importance of a stable peace between Israel and Palestine — important for the U.S. and important for Israel.
Michael J. Cooper, Lafayette