Birthrate rubbish

People are concerned about the over-population of Israel in coming years (“Current birth rates unsustainable, says expert,” February 22). To laugh or cry? Israel with an excess of Jews? We might almost get to where we were before Hitler!

There are a number of ways to deal with the problem. We might reoccupy Sinai. More lebensraum. Or we could exchange all the Israeli gentiles for all the Jews in the Muslim world, a net loss of population for Israel. Alternatively, we could ship extra Jews to America, where intermarriage will solve the issue.

Prof. Alon Tal, who chairs Tel Aviv University’s department of public policy, recommends a two-child policy. Of course, this is less than the replacement rate, so given enough time, the Jewish problem will indeed have a final solution.

I suggest instead that we offer praise and blessing for every Jewish baby born and assure them that we will find them room among our people, even and especially if we reach 18 million again.

SIDNEY HANDEL Tel Aviv

Are you kidding me? How can any Jew – much less a professor – even think of making such a preposterous statement? Has he not heard of the Holocaust, in which a mere 70 years ago, at least one-third of the world’s Jewish population was wiped out? In our own country of Israel, our good neighbors continue to try and complete the job.

Prof. Alon Tal is quoted as saying breathlessly that “if the growth rates for families do not slow down, within 35 years there will be roughly 15 million citizens” in Israel. More Jews in Israel? What is so wrong with that? As my late grandmother was wont to say, “From his mouth to God’s ears.” Tal seems to have forgotten – or perhaps never heard of – the Almighty’s biblical promise to Abraham that “I will surely bless you and greatly increase your offspring like the stars of the heavens and like the sand on the seashore” (Genesis 22:17).

In a clash between Tal and the Almighty, my money would not be on the good professor.

HARVEY SCHWARTZ

Jerusalem

It seems that every year or so, an article is published in The Jerusalem Post warning of the dire consequences of a population explosion and that all right-minded Jews in Israel should limit the children they have for the good of the state. I am sorry, but this is complete and utter rubbish!

Fact: All healthy countries count on their population to grow, and they plan their infrastructure accordingly. Fact: Countries that do not have a high birth rate are predicting dire consequences for their work force and elderly, predicting unsustainable retirement plans because of shrinking populations.

Israel, keep on having lots of beautiful babies! We have lots of land and opportunities here for them. Nowhere have I seen children who are so loved and raised to be so proud and free.

BRACHA MIRSKY Jerusalem