The author equates Palestinian refugee camps with Nazi concentration camps. Anyone with basic knowledge of the region’s history knows that these camps were established by the U.N. to provide relief to Palestinian refugees displaced by a conflict initiated by Arab nations who rejected the U.N.’s 1948 Partition Plan. These camps existed for nearly 20 years  in territory controlled by Jordan and Egypt  before Israel even arrived on the scene. Anyone even vaguely familiar with the region knows that in refugee camps anyone may go and come as they choose.

On a personal level, I am deeply offended by the outrageous claim that “Orthodox Jews are taught … that non-Jews are unworthy to live and are no better than animals (Goyim).” Where did the author get his Orthodox education? The Orthodox education I have received has always emphasized a profound respect and admiration for all upstanding human beings, be they Jew or Gentile.

The author’s translation of the Hebrew word “Goyim” as “animals” only underscores his woeful command of the subject at hand. The word means ‘nations of the world’ and is a non-pejorative biblical term, as in ‘light unto the Nations’ (Isaiah 49:6).

Your newspaper  as well as the highly educated academic population it serves  should not allow this section to be used as a forum for ignorance and hatred.

Rabbi Ari Perl,

Overland Park