My Letter to the Local Newspaper Regarding Ukraine and Israel

(Note.  What follows is my letter to the editor of our local newspaper.  It was sent in reply to a letter that was extremely critical of Israel for not doing more to side with the United States against Russia in their war with Ukraine.  You need not have read the original letter to follow my letter, as I clearly address the points that the writer made.  Also, please note that I have removed the original letter writer's name and replaced it with "Mr. X."  Finally, Mr. X has not taken me up on my offer to meet and discuss these issues over a cup of coffee.)

Mr. X accuses Israel of giving a "lame excuse" for not joining the US in condemning Russia, "while other countries, in the same position as Israel, did join the American stance."  What other country is in the same position as Israel, which is constantly being threatened with wars and annihilation.  As the US has withdrawn from the Middle East, Russia has moved in.  Russia controls the airspace over Syria.  Iran sends weapons to Syria which then find their way to Lebanon and Hezbollah.  Israel needs to be able to destroy those arms shipments before they are used against it to kill Israelis.  Russia has not interfered with Israel doing that.

As the only Jewish country in the world, Israel has always been 

concerned with the safety of fellow Jews around the world.  

There are an estimated 194,000 Jews in Russia.  Israel would 

never want to put those Jews at risk by siding

against Putin.  As it is, Putin is having protesters and members 

of the media arrested for daring to challenge him with regards 

to Ukraine.    

Russia is also a leading country negotiating with Iran on their nuclear 

deal.  Iran has repeatedly threatened to wipe Israel off the map.  

Israel needs to be able to express their safety concerns to all parties 

involved in the process.

By the way, Israel receives $3 billion a year in aid from the US, not 

$3 million.  Three quarters of that aid is spent here in the US, often 

on military equipment.  The US further benefits from seeing how our 

military equipment functions in real life situations, as Israel must 

frequently use that hardware.  There are multiple other ways that 

the US benefits from its relationship with Israel, but that is not the 

point of this letter.  

I do agree with Mr. X on one thing.  Of course I would like to see 

Israel condemn Russia.  And, Israel's Foreign Minister, Yair Lapid, 

did say "the Russian attack on Ukraine is a serious violation of the 

international order.  Israel condemns that attack, and is ready and

prepared to offer humanitarian assistance to Ukrainian citizens."  

Israel has sent 100 tons of humanitarian aid to Ukraine.  But the 

Prime Minister, Naftali Bennett, is walking that fine line between 

Russia and Ukraine, and having to protect his citizenry (the first 

obligation of any leader) and the Jews of Russia, while also fearing 

for the Jews in Ukraine (with estimates ranging from 40,000 to 

200,000).

Mr. X tipped his hand when he referred to Israel's "continued 

destruction of Palestinian properties on the West Bank."  Clearly, 

he is no friend of Israel, and the war between Russia and Ukraine 

appears to be just another excuse for him to condemn Israel.  

Should Mr. X wish to discuss any of these issues over a cup of 

coffee, I am easy enough to find.  Just let me know.