Fool me once, shame on you

Why do I and others write to combat Gershon Baskin’s aspersions on Israel’s policies toward the Palestinians (“Have we no shame?” July 25)?

We do so because we are angry at his spurious arguments.

In answer to his question, we definitely have no shame – only sheer frustration that our near neighbors continue to disregard our very existence and do all in their power to play the victim, while demonizing us as an uncaring aggressor.

These latest demolitions had been earmarked and placed on record for some considerable time, ruled as illegal construction constituting a severe security threat, having been built so close to the security barrier.

These structures could have provided cover for suicide bombers and other terrorists hiding among the civilian population, endangering the lives of civilians and security forces alike.

The lesson to be learned is that “you reap what you sow.” Yes, everyone should have access to a home – but not by all means, especially not illegal and violent ones.

Until the Palestinians recognize that their leaders are placing their present and future in jeopardy, there will be no meaningful progress toward real peace. STEPHEN VISHNICK Tel Aviv

Gershon Baskin highlighted Israeli “evil” for all to see. Israel destroyed some homes of Arabs, which it said were built too close to a barrier wall.

Well, Baskin saw the pure eight-year-old crying and the saintly 80-year-old upset. Also so many nations called us out for this unforgivable act.

When have Baskin and the righteous nations complained about expulsion of Jews from Gush Katif? When have they complained about money paid to incentivize and reward those who murder Jews? When have they noted any other government in the world enforcing building codes? When have they noted over 200,000 killed by jihadists since 9/11?

I could fill the page with their evils but what’s the point, they are not Jewish. Shame on Gershon Baskin! KLARA BRIEFF Jerusalem

Gershon Baskin describes the demolition of a handful of illegal Arab homes as “pure evil.” I wonder if he also describes the demolition of Jewish homes found to be illegal in the same language. When Jews are thrown out of their homes, does he take pathetic pictures of these people, too?

He gives only half the story – just as our enemies do: “strangling their economy, closing roads to them, stealing Palestinian land, burning Palestinian crops, chasing shepherds from their lands.” On and on he goes. I wonder about the Palestinian economy. Where are all the billions of dollars that their leaders accepted from other countries? You would think that with all the money they receive from overseas, they would have at least built themselves a respectable hospital and relieve some of the pressure on ours.

Does he think we closed the road just because we were feeling ornery that day? Does he not remember the murderous attacks by these “Palestinians” on these same roads? How many of our people were mercilessly slaughtered on those roads?

But wait. The point is whose land is this? I am not ashamed in the least to proclaim that this is our land – the Jewish State of Israel, given to us by God. Our dear soldiers, some of whom are my grandsons, do their best to protect a us so that we can continue to live here. Yes, sometimes our soldiers have to cover their faces. That’s probably so that our enemies won’t identify them and come after them personally. This is called “force protection.” Most armies in the world do this for their soldiers.

Gershon Baskin is the one who should be thoroughly ashamed of himself for spouting enemy propaganda. And The Jerusalem Post should be ashamed for publishing such one-sided malicious claptrap. THELMA JACOBSON Petah Tikva

I believe that Baskin has finally gone too far and that The Jerusalem Post bears the responsibility to exercise proper judgment in deciding all “that is fit to print.”

It has long been clear that Baskin has “left-wing” tendencies, but when he resorts to untruths, it is time to put an end to his libel and anti-democratic rants. He makes many false statements as if he is reporting facts. This assists our enemies throughout the world by providing them with “legitimate sources” (the Post) to prove Israel’s “culpability.”

To cite but a few examples. Baskin claims that residents of Judea and Samaria fight for the right to live in our historic homeland not because of “God’s promises to the Jewish people” and not because of “the security of Israel” but because we get such a good deal! He cites no reference when claiming to know why thousands of Jews choose to live in Eretz Yisrael, yet asserts that we participate in the “burning (of) Palestinian crops, cutting down Palestinian olive trees… bulldozing water wells” and more. Thankfully, he stops shorts of claiming that we make use of Palestinian blood for our matzot!

When he alleges that our court system has “worked on behalf of Israeli annexationist interests for a very long time,” he conveniently ignores the numerous instances in which these very courts have ordered the demolition, destruction and building freezes of Jewish communities in Amona, Efrat, Neve Daniel, Kedumim and all over Judea and Samaria.

Does the publisher and Editorial staff of the Jerusalem Post have no limit to its tolerance of false, libelous and hate-filled “commentary” which leads the writer, Gershon Baskin to “the urge to be violent?” It is time to cease providing Baskin with a hateful soapbox to the world. STEVE M. SOLOMON, MSW

Efrat