Dear Senator Leahy

March 30, 2016

Senator Patrick J. Leahy

199 Main Street, 4^th Floor

Burlington, VT 05401

Dear Senator Leahy,

I am writing to express my deep disappointment in the letter you signed requesting that the State Department investigate “gross violations of human rights” that the State of Israel may have committed.

I find your action deplorable in light of the political reality of the area.  Israel is in a position of having to defend itself against governments and organizations that for decades now have called for its annihilation. Iran recently launched missiles marked “Israel must be wiped out.”  Ongoing incitement in Arab mosques and schools teaches Palestinians of all ages—including children in preschool!—that they can reach the highest glory by killing Jews.  Corrupt regimes that thrive on graft and theft (where have all the millions of dollars in donations sent by world countries gone to? Palaces, Swiss bank accounts and attack tunnels, that’s where!) keep sending out terrorists to stab, shoot, stone and firebomb Israeli men, women, children and even babies (Americans among them, as I am sure you know). 

But you choose to investigate ISRAEL for “gross violations of human rights.”

Senator Leahy, you are an intelligent man.  I believe that because otherwise you would not have achieved your honorable status as US Senator and past President pro tempore of the United States Senate.  But if so, your letter shows either ignorance or prejudice (or worse).  It puts your entire party to shame, not to mention the US Government.

I have voted for the Democratic Party for nearly 50 years now.  I believe in the social agenda of the Democratic Party.  But for the past eight years (and in particular since the 2014 Israel-Gaza War) I have felt let down by its leadership.  Your letter caps it all.  I don’t know how I could possibly vote for a Republican this coming November, but I also don’t know how I could vote for a Democrat either.

Senator Leahy, I am a rabbi.  My Jewish heritage, which I have studied in depth and of which I am extremely proud, has taught me at least two things:

1) to be a good human being;

2) that I have a right to defend myself.

When I look at the State of Israel, I see it acting in accordance with these two major principles.  I will not claim that Israel is perfect.  It is not.  But it acts as a good will agent throughout the world.  I am sure I don’t need to point out the countless countries and peoples it has helped in agriculture, trade, technology, health and security, among others.  At times of disasters, both natural and man-made, Israel has been there to help (including New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina).

In terms of its humanity, Israel has been—and continues to be—a huge light unto the nations, particularly the other regimes of the area.

In defending itself, Israel has demonstrated time and time again its highest principles.  No other country in the world has tried so hard—and at such high cost of life and limb to its own soldiers and civilian population—to avoid committing “gross violations of human rights.”

Have there been times when violations of its highest principles occurred?  Without a doubt.  But these have nearly always been inadvertent; as a result of military decisions made by Israel’s enemies (such as launching rockets from densely populated areas, UNWRA-run schools and hospitals); and sometimes as a result of the emotions that come out during battle and war.  You only need ask any American veteran whether he or she has witnessed such violations during his or her service.  I am sure the answer will be the same.

As a child of Holocaust survivors, I learned that self-defense is not only a human reaction to violence, but a Commandment from God.  As a rabbi, I teach not only to be as good a person as you can be, but also to defend yourself as best as you can.

Senator Leahy, I urge you with all due respect to re-examine the facts and either rescind your letter or urge the US State Department also to undertake a thorough investigation of the “gross violations of human rights” committed against Israelis, Americans, Jews and non-Jews in Israel, the US, Argentina and elsewhere around the world; and against innocent Muslim men, women and children—all under the guise of “legitimate rights.”

Respectfully,

Rabbi Boaz D. Heilman