Tel Aviv Secularists And Shabbat
Reader Shmuel Glazer got it exactly right (Letters, April 13) when he suggested that the generally supportive reaction to secularists in Tel Aviv seeking to close their stores on Shabbat would have been very different had it been haredim seeking the same thing. The former were acting out of financial concerns about competition from large chains but cited the need for a day of rest from work for everyone. If haredim had urged the same result and cited the sanctity of Shabbat, there would have been holy heck to pay. Reuven Shapiro New York, NY
Palestinian Protests In Israel
Pro-Palestinian activists in Israel have been battling law enforcement authorities for many years. Many of their actions would not be permitted in most countries. Demonstrators in most places are usually confined to relatively small areas so that they won’t constitute a threat to soldiers or police. Israel, by contrast, has permitted demonstrators on behalf of Palestinian rights to demonstrate in areas that can cause confrontation.
We must not permit pro-Palestinian demonstrators to assemble in areas where violence can be easily provoked and we must learn a lesson from those who hate us – to be the first to give out statements and not to sheepishly respond.
Thelma Susswein
Jerusalem