Letters to the Editor: 02.19.98
A Small World
Montauk
February 12, 1998
To The Editor,
For years the American Jewish community has been and continues to be a prime force in leading the fight against racial and religious discrimination in this country. Among some of the most prominent opponents of Senator Joe McCarthy were Jews. Now, however, we find a Jewish McCarthyism, one that uses some of the same methods of intimidation to suppress those in the community whose political views they dislike.
The right-wing attacks on the Smithsonian and the New Israel Fund, by the so-called Americans for a Safe Israel, were attacks directed against Thomas Friedman, the New York Times columnist, several professors from the Hebrew University in Jerusalem, an Orthodox Israeli rabbi, an Arab member of the Knesset, and two well-known figures in the conservative Likud Party.
The program planned, "Israel at Fifty: Yesterday's Dreams, Today's Realities," was to be a celebration of Israel's triumph in building a vibrant democracy, even as it struggled for its very existence.
It was designed to take an in-depth look at Israel's prodigious accomplishments in its first half-century and at some of the challenges facing this young democracy as it enters its next half-century.
The issues it would have addressed included the role of religion in public life, the position of Israel's nearly one million Arab citizens, the link between economic privatization and growing social gaps, and the future of Zionist ideology in the mature Jewish State.
There are hundreds of thousands of Israeli citizens who believe that peace with the Palestinians is essential to Israel's future.
Who are the "Americans for a Safe Israel"? It has no mass membership but is obviously well financed, placing numerous ads warning against concessions by Israel for peace with the Palestinians.
Who are these self-appointed guardians of a "safe Israel"? Who are they who evidently believe that Israel is too fragile to sustain a serious, respectful discussion in America by eminent Israeli scholars and political leaders?
They consider anyone who attempts to foster such discussion by definition "anti-Israel," despite the fact that these issues are openly and robustly debated in Israel every day, from the floor of the Knesset, to the pages of every daily newspaper, to the local vegetable market.
I find it unfortunate that the Smithsonian Associates chose not to stand up to this extremism and proceed with the joint program.
In a larger sense, the Smithsonian Institution, along with the American Jewish community and other friends of Israel, are also the victims of a tiny cluster of narrow-minded and utterly unrepresentative right-wing ideologues.
These people's idea of defending Israel is to pretend that it is the world's first perfect society and to denounce anyone, including Israelis, who see it as a three-dimensional democracy, with all the attendant strengths and complex problems.
One can ask, why is a program in Washington, D.C., about a small country continents away, of any concern to those of us living in East Hampton? Well, because, "It's a small world after all."
Our own Congressman Michael Forbes was the person who wrote to the Smithsonian, saying that he was "shocked at the planned program." He further said that having the program would "heap unfair and one-sided abuse on America's most trusted ally."
Congressman Forbes is on the House Appropriations Committee, which passes on the Smithsonian's budget. The Smithsonian then dropped the proposed series and ended its partnership with the New Israel Fund.
No intellectual institution, public or private, can do its job unless its leaders are prepared to stand up to the pressures of intolerance. This is true in Israel and it is no less true in this country.
Yes, I have been a contributor to the New Israel Fund for many years. It has been in the forefront of progressive social change in Israel since 1979. It consists of a partnership of North Americans, Israelis, and Europeans dedicated to promoting civil rights, Jewish-Arab coexistence, women's equality, religious pluralism, and social justice in Israel.
Which of these activities are not in the best interests of all concerned with the survival, growth, and future of Israel? And which of these activities are not in the best interests of this country as well?
LAWRENCE S. SMITH
A Scoundrel, A Lout
East Hampton
February 13, 1998
Dear Mrs. Rattray,
Hear ye! Hear ye! Good citizens of East Hampton. Let it be known that on this day, Feb. 13, in the year of our Lord 1998, a scoundrel dumped ye olde couch and other castoffs on Barnes Landing Beach.
Let said lout sucketh warts and get a grip.
Sincerely yours,
JOSEPH TOTO
P.S. My great aunt Filomina Tutti-lini of Sicily upon sighting said trash remarked, "Guiseppe, Ima like to rip hisa culones off with my rusty pliers."
Of course, I told Zia that I'm recounting this to a family newspaper and couldn't repeat that.
Get A Life!
East Rockaway
February 13, 1998
Dear Mrs. Rattray:
My hat is off to Messrs. Hausig and Purcell for their pointed, down-to-earth, and downright funny letters. I have shared their letters with friends around the country and they were enjoyed by one and all. Right on target!
Have we nothing better to do in this country than wallow in the misguided infatuation of a spoiled 24-year-old? I would wonder how many adulterous readers (male and female) have come right out and confessed all to their spouses in the spirit of being "honest." As Dr. Joy Brown has said (and she vigorously condemns adultery), confessing all to a spouse is cruel, manipulative, and downright stupid. Ken Starr, get a life!
STEVE HARWIN
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