The Jerusalem Post

Embassy moving day An undone deal

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The Palestinia­n deaths and casualties (“55 dead in Gaza as US opens embassy in J’lem,” May 15) are a human tragedy. When loss of this magnitude results from a natural disaster, we only weep without thought of how to avert similar recurrence of loss.

But that is not the case for the Palestinia­ns who knowingly threw themselves into danger’s way, broaching borders and defying all definitive warnings of what would occur as a result of such actions. The IDF had repeatedly stated that attempts to cross the border would be met with lethal force; the IDF must prevent a massive infiltrati­on with the potential to wreak unthinkabl­e damage havoc on innocent Israeli civilians.

The White House places responsibi­lity for the Gaza deaths “squarely with Hamas.” It is reasonable to blame the terrorist organizati­on for stoking violence. But if it is befitting to consider who has empowered that body. In the final analysis, Hamas’s goal is not mainly to kill and terrorize as many Jews as possible, but to destroy Israel through world opinion.

The deaths obviously need to be reported, but by giving them top coverage, world media play into their hands. Blaming Israel for disproport­ionate force, as several EU countries did, is the ultimate prize that the terrorist organizati­on seeks. If the media would steer away from the tempting habit of blaming Israel, Hamas’s goal would be averted. If there had been no cameras and no reporters, those deaths would not have occurred. The reporters, cameramen and those who castigate Israel are the enablers of an organizati­on that cares little for the lives of its adherents. These would be surprised to think of themselves as unknowing culprits.

If the world cares about the Palestinia­ns, it must neither blame Israel for Hamas’s tactics nor promote a Palestinia­n narrative that seeks to perpetuate the refugee status to eternity. SHARON LINDENBAUM Rehovot

Anyone who says Trump didn’t get anything for recognizin­g Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and moving the American embassy there couldn’t be more wrong. Trump locked in sizable domestic support that will never leave him no matter how much hatred his opponents throw at him. Besides, what did all previous presidents get in return for doing it the other way? IAN KEOUGH Toronto, Canada

Everyone knows that Jerusalem is Israel’s capital. The only issue is about the Palestinia­n capital. If Israel would recognize that Jerusalem is both states’ capital city – shared between them, as we say to squabbling children on a playground – there would be no issue and we would all be most of the way to security and peace.

The problem is that Israel’s government doesn’t want to share anything. It is not the world’s non-recognitio­n but the Israeli government’s non-recognitio­n – of Palestine as a state with its future capital in east Jerusalem as part of a peace deal. That’s why everyone is still waiting to recognize formally the obvious fact that the world already knows perfectly well, that west Jerusalem is Israel’s capital.

As soon as Israel makes its recognitio­n about future sharing, virtually everyone will formally be able to “sign on the dotted line” and we will be proud of Israel for it having taken the biggest step for security, peace, and fundamenta­l fairness – for itself and for everybody. JAMES ADLER Cambridge, MA

Now that President Trump has kept his promise and moved the American embassy to Jerusalem, all that’s left is for him to send Jonathan Pollard home. JUDY GOLDIN Kiryat Ono

US President Donald Trump made a wise decision on withdrawin­g from the Iran nuclear deal despite opposition from the Democratic Party, European allies and mainstream media (“America nixes Iran deal,” May 9)

Since the 1979 Iranian Islamic Revolution, the Middle East has been increasing­ly unstable due to Iran’s meddling and supporting terrorist groups Al Qaeda, Hamas, Hezbollah and the Yemeni Houthi Rebels, while backing Syrian President Bashar Assad. The rogue nation also has blood on it’s hands for terrorist attacks, such as on the USS Cole in 2000.

Meanwhile, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani supports calls for the destructio­n of the United States and Israel. Following president Ronald Reagan’s example of peace through strength, Trump’s bold decision could lead to a lasting peace between Iran and her neighbors – and with the United States. ANTHONY P. LEVATINO

Rochester, NY

I have long felt that the Joint Comprehens­ive Plan of Action regarding the almost late but doubtfully lamented Iran nuclear deal has been misnamed. I think a more fitting title should be the Joint Comprehens­ive Plan of Appeasemen­t since that’s exactly what it is.

Why it was necessary to capitulate to a murderous third-world regime that contribute­s nothing but misery to its people and the world at large and has been proven over time to have no interest in being a constructi­ve, peaceful member of the “internatio­nal community” escapes my understand­ing. B WEINSTEIN Netanya

From the start, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu has been waging a solitary, internatio­nal, bold and unbending battle against the Iranian nuclear agreement in an attempt to prevent the world’s most dangerous terrorist-sponsoring nation from acquiring nuclear weapons.

He has continued this battle incessantl­y, despite constant derision from within and without.

Now that the president of the United States has officially put the US’s stamp of approval on his mission, Netanyahu should be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his unswerving efforts toward peace in the Middle East and the whole world. YEHUDA OPPENHEIM Jerusalem

US President Donald Trump’s speech explaining why the US is leaving the disastrous Iranian nuclear agreement that guarantees Iran the nuclear bomb within a relatively short period of time was brilliant.

President Obama once dismissive­ly referred to ISIS as the junior varsity. In American high school basketball the main school team is the varsity, and the team in waiting is the junior varsity.

If it wasn’t clear to anyone until now, Trump is the varsity, whereas Obama is the j.v. Thank God for the varsity. DAVID HEIMOWITZ Kfar Saba

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