Lucky strike

Regarding “Palestinian prisoners suspend hunger strike” September 17), how can we treat terrorists who have committed the most heinous crimes against our people with such solicitation? Why are we so afraid of them?

The prisoners announced that they suspended the threatened hunger strike because “their demands were met by the Israeli authorities.” They know they always issue threats to bring the IPS and government to heel. How humiliating and shameful. We are desperate for approval and they naturally take advantage of our pathetic weakness. The Arabs in our prisons need only say “hunger strike” and those words strike terror in the heart of the guards and the government; it has always been the same. The government may change but the policy of concessions and surrender ominously remains.

We must be the most unsovereign of sovereign states around.

YENTEL JACOBS

Netanya

Regarding “To our Arab-Israeli brothers and sisters ‘Shukran’” (September 15), while it is possible to appreciate the tolerant and generous spirit of Gil Troy’s communication to Arab-Israeli citizens who shunned the escaped Arab convicts and aided in their re-apprehension, it is nonetheless necessary to consider a more complete picture of the reality. This includes the lawlessness and rebelliousness of a considerable part of Arab citizens of Israel as exemplified in the riots in mixed cities earlier this year and by the daily intimidation of Jewish Israelis, especially in the agricultural sector.

While the violence of this Arab minority takes the greatest toll in lives on Arab citizens, the vast amounts of illegal weaponry present a true security threat to the future of Israel.

Along with this it is important to point out that the ideology of many Arab-Israelis, including those who are part of the present government, looks to a future in which there will no longer be a Jewish state. Therefore, while the praise and thankful words to a very great share of this Israeli minority are truly in place, the other side of this group’s action should also be understood, and contended with now before it is too late.

SHALOM FREEDMAN

Jerusalem