HERZL ISSUE

The measure that economists usually use for the level of prosperity of a country is usually GDP per capita (PPP). This takes into account the cost of living in a country.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in his special message to Magazine readers in the issue with the cover story commemorating Theodor Herzl (August 30), states: “Our citizens... enjoy... a level of prosperity that now exceeds Japan’s.” A simple trawl through World Bank statistics, CIA World Factbook, Trading Economics shows this to be incorrect. Japan’s GDP per capita PPP is significantly higher than Israel’s. Our nominal GDP per capita, excluding cost of living effect, is indeed higher but a pretty meaningless measure.

Clearly, we Israelis should be proud of our unparalleled achievements, especially in the face of such enormous challenges. One would expect our prime minister, with his army of aides and the intelligence with which he markets himself, to check or have checked easy-to-find facts.

DORON ZIEVE Netanya

Thank you for these excellent pieces of journalism getting to the heart and soul of a truly remarkable man.

In Theodor Herzl (to many a modern Moses) we had someone who had the courage, vision and fortitude all encompassed in a remarkable dream that other determined people turned into a reality, which we have had the privilege and great honor to be a small part of.

In the mere 44 years of this person’s existence, he was able to lay a foundation as the cornerstone for the future of a cause and people he believed in and loved.

Therefore all who tread this precious Land of Israel owe it to his legacy to keep the name “Herzl” at the forefront of our individual thoughts and dreams and to pass it on for equal care to all future generations.

STEPHEN VISHNICK Tel Aviv

In the August 30 issue, quite a few articles were devoted to Theodor Herzl, but not one, not one single one! mentions the immense help that William Hechler, a Church of England minister, gave Herzl.

Hechler’s influence is quite obvious even from a cursory glance at Herzl’s life story, and it’s a shame that none of the authors could bring themselves to acknowledge this.

The modern State of Israel is over 70 years old and by now should be mature enough to understand that not all Christians are antisemitic, and should acknowledge the help that many Christians gave in modern Israel. I’m sorry, but one could argue that ignoring this, as these articles do, appears to show an anti-Christian prejudice.

BOB KNIGHT Modi’in