Judaism in Israel

Re “Dispute Among Jews a Threat to Premier’s Visit,” Oct. 17:

On April 11, 1933, Germany enacted a law defining who is a Jew. The purpose was to strip the Jews of their citizenship, their status as human beings and finally their lives. Now, 60 years later, Jewish fundamentalists totally insensitive to the obscenity that preceded them are insisting that the Israeli government give them control over the issue of who is a Jew. There is every indication that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will comply.

If there was a principle upon which Israel was founded, it was to provide a sanctuary where Jews could be Jews without having to look over their shoulders. Breaking this promise out of political expedience is an unprecedented act of self-destruction. Netanyahu will certainly go down in history, but not as he intended.

LARRY SHAPIRO

Beverly Hills