April 13, 2006
By Beth Wasserman

Regarding Janet Tassel’s April 6 commentary on the Rabbis’ Letter to President Bush, launched by Brit Tzedek v’Shalom and signed by nearly 400 rabbis: A careful reading of the letter shows the rabbis’ horror at Hamas’s election, and concern that President Bush “maintain determination in the face of those who deny Israel’s right to exist.” Brit Tzedek in no way supports aid to this Palestinian government; the rabbis called for HUMANITARIAN aid.

In this, we agree with Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesman Mark Regev, who recently said: “It is incumbent on all of us to beef up direct humanitarian aid to alleviate hardship.” The World Bank reports 75% of Palestinians will soon be subsisting on less than $2 a day; we do not believe that this would serve Israel’s security interests. Brit Tzedek believes that the best course for Israel's safety would be for the US to facilitate constructive engagement with moderate Palestinian leaders, such as President Mahmoud Abbas, including the fostering of dialogue between such individuals and representatives on the Israeli side, such as Israeli Prime Minister-elect Ehud Olmert. Brit Tzedek believes that the best interests of Israel and the Jewish people everywhere are served by pursuing all possible efforts to resolve the conflict, even in uncertain and rapidly changing times such as those with which we are presently faced. We invite all American Jews to join us in this quest for peace and in ongoing dialogue in our community.

Beth Wasserman

Boston chapter, Brit Tzedek v’Shalom