Life turns on a paradigm

Regarding “Heart of a Nation: Progressives changing US-Israel-Palestinian paradigm” (June 25), the movement sounds like it is camouflaging something; the stated bottom

line of the initiative strikes me as being more than a little ambiguous.

To make America and Israel “better” countries is indeed laudable, but the parameters that will be used to measure “better” were not identified. Given that “progressive” is the

underlying buzzword of this movement, it’s fair to assume

that the State of Israel as well as Jews throughout the world will be asked to accept paradigm-shifting compromises and

adjustments with nothing but good intentions to guarantee Jewish identity and security.

Personally, I’m not ready to lend a sympathetic ear to BDS

advocates, to reduce prison time for convicted terrorists, or

to share sovereignty in Jerusalem with anyone else. I would

like to think that such “progressive” ideas will be unacceptable to all but those sit on the leftmost side of the political

spectrum, and that Heart of a Nation’s attempts to radicalize current thought on where Israel exists in today’s world will

be faced with frustration and rebuttal.

In addition, I’m rather tired of hearing how former prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu caused a major meltdown with the Democrats, and have little faith that Jonathan Keller can objectively fill in the gaps that may in fact exist between the two major parties. The six congresspersons that comprise the so-called Squad have one objective – to eliminate the State of Israel. But they represent an extreme point of view; the party as a whole is supportive of our country and will not enthusiastically embrace policies that endanger our

well-being.

I have every confidence that the Bennett/Lapid advocacy and partnership will be acceptable to the majority of both houses of Congress regardless of the color of the state they

represent.

The changes being proposed by Heart of a Nation will polarize rather than harmonize, and shine a spotlight on

existing vulnerabilities.

BARRY NEWMAN

Ginot Shomron