Why are we waiting? Sir, – Prof. Mohammed Dajani Daoudi, who used to be a member of Fatah and a radical Palestinian activist (“Reaching higher for Palestinian academics,” Education, February 20) is reminiscent of the young Nelson Mandela, who fought the apartheid regime and was known as the Black Pimpernel. Mandela famously went on to negotiate his people away from violence and made peace in extremely dangerous circumstances with his arch foe, president F.W. de Klerk of the Nationalist government (which had incarcerated him for 27 years). Mandela is now remembered and revered worldwide as a hallowed statesman, a peacemaker par excellence. In Israel today we are crying out for a peace partner who can talk reasonably with us to negotiate an end to our appallingly dangerous state of affairs. Could this be Prof. Daoudi? He says a deep impression was made on him when first his father and then his mother received magnificent and humane medical attention from Israelis. He recommends negotiating in good faith and moving toward peace and democracy. Daoudi says: “I do not believe we have to wait until the conflict is over in order to do reconciliation. I believe if we do reconciliation today – now – then it paves the way for an end to conflict.” What are we waiting for? Cometh the hour, cometh the man! Daoudi has crossed the Rubicon from Fatah to peacemaker. We need to respond! We have a great mensch in President Reuven Rivlin. Let him rise above the myopic members of our directionless body politic before it's too late, and respond to this voice emanating from a small oasis in the Palestinian wilderness. SUSAN TUCKER Netanya Irresponsible behavior Sir, – “Hiking in the West Bank – A settler's journey” (Cover, February 13) made my blood run cold. Despite the editor's disclaimer about endorsing traveling to dangerous areas, I am afraid that it could influence young, adventurous Israelis. When I think of the young women who had their throats cut hiking in Wadi Kelt a few years ago; of hitchhikers who have been kidnapped, raped or murdered throughout dangerous areas; of those who made wrong turns into Arab cities and were lynched, I feel this should not have been published. Yes, it was well-written and a fascinating account of a traveler. But one should not confuse bravery with foolhardiness; too many young people have lost their lives by being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Curiosity is not an excuse for risking one's life. DVORA WAYSMAN Jerusalem Write to: maglet@jpost.com Only a selection of letters can be published. Priority goes to those that are brief and topical. Letters may be edited, and must bear the name and address of the writer.
(photo credit: ING IMAGE/ASAP)