Letters: Tension mounts as Netanyahu visits
On the morning after President Barack Obama's State of the Union speech, House Speaker John Boehner of Ohio, leaves a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2015, after telling reporters that he has asked Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to address Congress on dealing with terrorism, but did not consult the White House on the invitation. Credit: AP
Where does Abe Foxman, national director of the Anti-Defamation League, come off publicly criticizing Benjamin Netanyahu about the Israeli prime minister's impending visit to Congress ["Calls rise for Netanyahu to cancel speech," News, Feb. 9]?
It was my impression that the ADL was supposed to fight bigotry, not get involved in foreign politics. Foxman's credibility is low.
He is not alone in bashing Israel. Newsday's editorial board does no public service by suggesting that Netanyahu is unfairly promoting an "us-versus-them mentality" in the Middle East ["No choice but to lead," Editorial, Feb. 22]. Certain people are trying to kill Israelis and destroy their country. It is hard to develop a warm, fuzzy, inclusive mindset under those conditions.
He is clearly not the only world leader promoting that mindset. Why single him out?
Howard Mandell, East Northport
The writer of "Democrats cold to Netanyahu address" [Letters, Feb. 15] endorsed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's appearance before Congress and claims that only the GOP supports Israel.
Rep. John Yarmuth (D-Ky.), who is Jewish, outlined why he believes the invitation to Netanyahu represents a "breakdown of the traditionally bipartisan cooperation on issues affecting" Israel. He said it's "sad and ridiculous that attending this speech will be used as a litmus test for support of Israel," and that allowing Netanyahu to openly criticize the Obama administration's foreign policy in front of Congress will endanger delicate peace talks being held with Iran and several other world powers.
Matthew Zeidman, New Hyde Park
The writer of "Democrats cold to Netanyahu address" states that he is a registered Democrat who has been "voting Republican for years" because he thinks it's the only party that still supports Israel. What chutzpah!
From the birth of Israel, when President Harry Truman was in office, to the present day, the Democratic Party has been a strong supporter of Israel, financially, militarily and diplomatically at the United Nations.
For a long time, many of Israel's enemies have regarded America as their enemy because of our strong and united support for Israel. They have shown that hatred of the United States in many ways.
America should never become a 100 percent blind supporter of England, France, Canada or any nation -- including Israel.
Eugene J. Castellano, Rockville Centre
