DIVIDED SPRING

Three articles in your “Springing forward” Magazine (April 15) captured my immediate attention. The two opening articles by Naomi Ragen and Barbara Sofer on the 20th anniversary of the Park Hotel massacre were significant reminders of events perpetrated by Amalek that we must never forget.

However, their message was ruined by Pamela Peled’s column (“Can we cope?”) in which she expressed opposition to former prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his government that gave Israel the best years of its life – economically, politically and security-wise. Her article was a live performance of the precursors, 1950s Israeli mothers who frightened their children threatening that Menachem Begin would kill them if they didn’t behave.

Netanyahu is still the most popular candidate for premier, with 55% of the voting public behind him, as opposed to exceedingly low percentages projected for other candidates.

There hasn’t been a single quiet day in this country since our new Prime Minister Naftali Bennett entered office nearly a year ago, with scarcely any support from his party or his government, most of whom barely attained the minimum voter threshold to enter the Knesset.

Peled’s Tel Aviv-Ra’anana government that she admires may be the center of her life and love, but it is not the jewel in Israel’s crown, nor is it the will of Jewish Israel. It has created a house divided that cannot spring forward.

FAIGIE HEIMAN Jerusalem

How beautifully Pamela Peled captured my thoughts and feelings at this difficult time; thank you for your column about coping if this government – heaven forbid! – falls.

It was quiet for a short while – after that tragedy on Akiva Street [Bnei Brak terror attack] – in Ra’anana, where anti-government demonstrators usually congregate close to Bennett’s home. Perhaps the Bibi Boosters with their boom-busters and beating drums were in shock like the rest of us. But, then their egotistical “Melech Yisrael” envisioned reascending his throne and conveniently forgot how many terrorist attacks there were during his reign. The Bibi Boosters are back now, even during the day!

And so, we presumably head toward another election that will probably end in deadlock. Thank you to Peled for so perfectly expressing the emotions of half the country.

ISABEL BERMAN Ra’anana