Road murder

Sir, - Another weekend of slaughter on our highways. Two of the victims, a father and daughter, were murdered by a truck driver with 195 traffic offenses, Some suggestions: Hold the company employing such a driver financially and criminally responsible for his actions. Hold the driver financially and criminally responsible. Remove the judges who allowed him to continue driving ("Father, son killed in Highway 1 crash," August 12).

DAVID FEIGENBAUM

Netanya

I told you so

Sir, - In the summer of 1999 I wrote an editorial for an Israeli security magazine advocating that the police change the ammunition they use in their 9mm pistols. I explained that just about every modern police force in the world uses ammunition with an expanding, hollow-point projectile rather than one enclosed in a full metal jacket. I argued that bullets were needed that would not hit the target and then keep on going, endangering innocent bystanders; or miss the target and ricochet, ditto. I was ridiculed and inferred that a more efficient bullet was evil, and so must I be for advocating its use.

Friday's gunfight in the Old City resulted in numerous innocent bystanders being wounded, many, if not most, by ricocheting bullets ("Israeli Arab killed after stealing gun and shooting Ateret Cohanim guard" (August 12).

HANAN (HOWARD) LINETT

Jerusalem

Following orders

Sir, - Haim Watzman argues that soldiers should not question commands. "Orders are orders" he insists (August 12). Opposed to Israel's attempt to quell the first intifada "by brute force," he adds that he served, albeit reluctantly.

But his argument is profoundly wrong. Ordering the army to evacuate Jewish communities, and destroy homes and property, directly violates the IDF Code of Ethics, which states: "The goal of the IDF is to protect the existence of the State of Israel and her independence, and to thwart all enemy efforts to disrupt the normal way of life in Israel."

If the objective is military - preventing terrorism, protecting citizens, winning a battle against our enemies - there is no basis for refusal. But who is "the enemy" in Jewish communities, and how are they a threat to our well-being and security? Using the IDF to carry out a highly controversial government policy like evacuating Jews from their homes, especially by force, has no military purpose and is a blow to our democracy and to our army itself.

The "our" is critical. The IDF is a citizens' army. Its strength and character are rooted in the mission to protect us. Its morale depends on the fact that we support the soldiers wholeheartedly and are proud of their sacrifices. They are us. If the government wants to remove Jews from their homes, it should be done by the police, whose job is enforcing law and order. It is obscene to compare fighting terrorism with evicting Jews from their homes.

"The rule of law is the foundation of democracy" - as Watzman writes - when it expresses the will of the people and stands for justice. It is the obligation of every citizen, in and out of the army, to oppose injustice and follow his/her conscience.

MOSHE DANN

Jerusalem

Silver lining,
with a cloud

Sir, - Your headline notwithstanding, I found "Rotten to the corps" (August 10) very encouraging. Lt.-Gen. Gabi Ashkenazi has a proven track record. He inspires leadership, confidence and an ability to get things done, and he will certainly restore the IDF. I believe he can raise it to a totally new competency and combat capability level. If the Israeli ground forces fought as well as they did in the Second Lebanon War, with so little and in such organizational disarray, Syria, Hizbullah and the rest would be well advised to stay in their bunkers and pray for peace.

Continued
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