Be a Mensch. Keep the capital in Tel Aviv.
Graphic by Angelie Zaslavsky
To the Editor:
On December 6, 2017, the President of the United States said, “I have determined that it is time to officially recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.” Putting aside, for the moment, the questions of how did he determine this? And why does he get to determine it at all? I’d like to move on to something else that is disturbing.
I am ashamed of Israel, specifically Netanyahu and his cabal. That they would be complicit in this plan is abominable. What about tikkun olam? What about our obligation to behave in a socially responsible way? What about the idea that our actions must improve society?
For a people who understand what it means to have a visceral connection to an ancient holy site, the decision to deprive other people who have the same visceral connection seems uncharitable and selfish and soulless. It is the very opposite of tikkun olam; It is downright unmenschlekh.
Jerusalem belongs to all the religions that revere it. Keep the capital in Tel Aviv. Be a mensch.
Sincerely yours,
Randi Hacker
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