Response to Tom Elias 11-13-2015

13, November 2015           Response to Tom Elias

Tom Elias (opinion November 12) is right to condemn blatant acts of anti-Semitism on college campuses. However, it would be wrong to conflate legitimate criticism of Israel with anti-Semitism. Actions calling for a boycott of Israeli products are legitimate and endorsed by a growing number of European countries. Every effort should be made to end Israel’s crushing occupation, theft of Palestinian land and violations of international law aided and abetted by our tax dollars.

Perhaps Elias is not aware that a leading Jewish spokesman, Henry Siegman, the former executive director of the American Jewish Congress, stated recently that Prime Minister Netanyahu of Israel is the main impediment to peace. According to Siegman, Netanyahu’s cabinet appointments expose a troubling overt racism. Consider the following:

Justice Minister, Ayelet Shaked, called for the “destruction of the entire Palestinian people, including its elderly women, cities, villages, property and infrastructure."

Foreign minister, Hotovely, sent out instructions to all Israeli ambassadors to advise governments that the Bible confirmed that God was in the real estate business and promised all of Palestine to the Jews.

Deputy Minister of Defense, Dahan and his boss called for separating Palestinians and Jews on separate busses.
Silvan Shalom the new chief of peace negotiations has been on record for opposing a two-state solution.

Dore Gold, the former Israeli ambassador to the United Nations, currently the new director of the Foreign Ministry has a lifelong record of total opposition to a Palestinian state.