A need to proceed with Lapid?

Although I find a good deal of Yair Lapid’s platform a bit too unsettling, I cannot entirely discount Yossi Klein Halevi’s supportive arguments in favor of Lapid (Why I am voting for Yair Lapid,” March 12).

The leader of the Yesh Atid Party is clearly well-spoken and intelligent and committed to a strong, secure Israel. Moreover, from what I’ve read and heard, it strikes me that Lapid views those running against him as opponents rather than enemies, something which most of the other party leaders would be wise to emulate. The division and hostility that exist in Israel are in no small way the result of the public attitude of our elected officials, most of whom have no problem slinging mud, skewered conceptions and downright falsehoods. As far as I know, Lapid has not yet sunk that low… or would disparage a member of the IDF by referring to her as a shikseh.

Not long ago, moreover, I viewed on YouTube a conversation between Lapid and the late Chief Rabbi of Great Britain, Lord Rabbi Jonathan Sacks. Lapid was both respectful and knowledgeable, and in no way came across as a threat to the Torah or to Orthodoxy. Yes, there are most certainly some tricky issues, but I got the impression that Lapid has an open and creative mind, and would go out of his way to find common ground.

Yair Lapid has not earned my vote, but he has, however, earned my respect and admiration. And considering the ugliness that characterizes Israeli elections, that’s no small achievement.

BARRY NEWMAN Ginot Shomron

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – North Korea has not responded to behindthe-scenes diplomatic outreach since mid-February by President Joe Biden’s administration, including to Pyongyang’s mission to the United Nations, a senior Biden administration official told Reuters on Saturday.

The disclosure of the so-far unsuccessful US outreach, which has not been previously reported, raises questions about how Biden will address mounting tensions with Pyongyang over its nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programs.

It also adds a new dimension to a visit America’s top diplomat and defense secretary will make next week to South Korea and Japan, where concerns over North Korea’s nuclear arsenal are expected to be high on the agenda.

The senior Biden administration official, speaking on condition of anonymity, offered few details on the diplomatic push. But the official said there had been efforts to reach out to the North Korean government “through several channels starting in mid-February, including in New York.”

“To date, we have not received any response from Pyongyang,” the official said.

North Korea’s mission to the United Nations did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The Biden administration has so far been cautious in publicly describing its approach to North Korea, saying it is carrying out a comprehensive policy review following former president Donald Trump’s unprecedented engagement with North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un.

Trump’s efforts failed to persuade North Korea to give up its nuclear weapons.

The Biden administration official said it appeared there had been no active dialogue between the United States and North Korea for more than a year.