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May 31, 2001

Jordan Elgrably

Jordan Elgrably (Letters, May 25) places all the blame on Israel for the lack of Israeli-Palestinian peace. He calls on Israel to “make room for Palestine” and give the Palestinians their due rights. It seems that like so many Israel-bashers, Elgrably conveniently ignores the offer of independence and statehood for Palestinians which Israel offered last summer and which Arafat spurned.

Israel did not seek to occupy the Palestinians, who were occupied by Jordan and Egypt for 19 years, but when those two nations went to war against Israel in 1967, the Palestinians unavoidably came under Israeli rule and must remain in that state until they make peace. It all depends on the Palestinian leadership, or lack of the same.

Bob Kirk, Los Angeles


Jordan Elgrably’s letter would be comical if it were not so tragic. Israel gave Palestinians its territory under the Oslo accords in exchange for the solemn Palestinian pledge to renounce violence and settle disputes through negotiations. Arafat instead started his guerrilla war against Israel, especially targeting children. He now complains that according to the Oslo accords, which he has constantly violated, the territory he received from Israel in exchange for “peace” was not given in exchange for anything.

At Camp David, Arafat was offered the equivalent of 100 percent of the West Bank without Jewish settlements, and he turned it down. The only rational reading of his conduct is that he does not want peace. He wants the total destruction of Israel. Since it is too early for him to admit this to the world for strategic reasons, he will continue the charade of “negotiations” when it is convenient and terror when it is tolerated.

Until liberal Jews realize that this is the harsh reality, their misperception of the situation will continue to lead to the undermining of Israel by giving aid and support to the myth of “peace” with the Palestinians. The only thing you can negotiate with someone who wants to kill you is the time, place and manner of your death. Arafat only wants war, and at the end of the day, Israel’s only real option is to give him what he wants.

Ronald Norman, Los Angeles, Shefa Fund


Thank you so much for mentioning the work of The Shefa Fund and its Olive Trees for Peace Campaign (“Requiem for a Dream?” May 18). The campaign has given a voice to many American Jews who still want to see the peace process succeed. Shefa, together with The Shalom Center and Rabbis for Human Rights, has succeeded in organizing more than $80,000 for the campaign.

In addition to its Middle East peace work, Shefa also makes grants to progressive Jewish programs and projects in the United States. Under the leadership of President and Founder Jeffrey Dekro, The Shefa Fund is also currently leading a national movement among American Jews about the principles and practices of low-income community investing and economic development through its TZEDEC initiative.

The Shefa Fund, based in Philadelphia, is opening a West Coast office in Los Angeles on June 1. One of the office’s first priorities will be to catalyze a $3.6-million TZEDEC Community Fund that will channel Los Angeles Jewish community investments into community-based banks, credit unions and loan funds in order to bring much-needed capital into our credit-starved low-income communities.

For more information about The Shefa Fund, please go to www.shefafund.org or call (310) 450-3390.

Celia Bernstein, West Coast Director, The Shefa Fund


Ahead of Our Time

In his editorial (“Wolpe’s Hurricane,” April 20), Rob Eshman quoted Jerome Berman, executive director of the California Museum of Ancient Art, as saying, “Five-hundred years ago we believed the earth was flat.”

I suspect that in 1492, most Jews knew that the earth was not flat. In his popular book “The Guide of the Perplexed,” Moses Maimonides (1135-1204) wrote, “The earth is spherical.”

David Gabai, Pasadena


Spain: Righteous Nation

While I agree that what Jonathan Kellerman described would be painful for any Jew (“Everyone Loves a Wandering Jew,” May 25), I must remind him that such examples of prejudice are hardly unique to Spain and can be found anywhere, especially among ignorant people where few Jews live, including certain parts of the United States.

What counts for me, based on personal experience, is the fact that during the Holocaust, while many democratic countries, including the United States, turned their backs on the masses of persecuted Jews, Spain provided a safe haven for thousands of refugees trapped in Southern France with the Nazis on their heels. Ordinary Spaniards risked their lives, despite the presence of the fascist dictator Francisco Franco, to shelter and sustain them.

Long after the war, the truth became known and Spain emerged as the biggest rescuer nation during that terrible time, adding a healing chapter to its history as the nation that tormented and expelled all its Jews in 1492.

In recognition of this miracle, Encino’s Valley Beth Shalom and its renowned Rabbi Harold Schulweis last year honored Spain for its people’s heroic behavior.

Today, inspired by its liberal monarch, King Juan Carlos I, Spain has shed its fascist past. Freedom of worship is now available to all. In 1991, Elie Wiesel bestowed his Humanitarian Award to the king for his exemplary efforts.

Trudi Alexy, Tarzana


Correction

In the May 25 article “Courting the 5th District,” Mike Levy reported that Rep. Henry Waxman had endorsed Jack Weiss. Waxman has not endorsed either candidate.

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