Israel’s history

Regarding “The Star of David and the Lone Star State” (Page A15, April 17), what do you call a non-Jew living in Palestine who did not flee his home (at the behest of the Arab armies) in 1948? An Israeli.

Who were first called “Palestinians?” The Jews who were forced by the Romans to flee Judea, the land of their ancestors, which was subsequently renamed “Palestine” as an additional Roman dig against the Jews. “Palestine” from the name of the Phillistines, who were one of ancient Israel’s earliest and most dastardly enemies.

To those who so flippantly decry Israel as “apartheid” or “undemocratic,” please do your homework before making claims that are ultimately only given light due to latent as well as blatant anti-Semitism.

The world is never happy— when the Jews are wealthy and successful and able to meaningfully contribute to society, we are accused of world domination. When the Jews suffer, are homeless and powerless, we are accused of being the sources of plagues, civic collapse and maligners of religious truths. Please do not be mistaken; the maligning of Israel and the Jewish people is driven by anti-Semitism.

And that said, I am not at all always proud of the actions taken by the Israeli government, just as I am not at all always proud of the actions taken by the United States. But Israel is indeed a place where Palestinian victims of Palestinian terrorism are treated and cared for by Israeli hospitals and where an Israeli Arab can take a case to court and win.

Rabbi Scott Hausman-Weiss, Congregation Shma Koleinu, Houston