Every sign points to Israel being a very dangerous war zone

I read with great interest, and I must admit morbid fascination, the guest column by former Marlboro Mayor Saul G. Hornik, "Israel Is Still a Safe Place" (Your Turn, Greater Media Newspapers, June 19).

Congratulations, Mr. Hornik, you made me change my plans for vacation.

Now, instead of going to the Berkshires, I’m going to Tel Aviv. After that I plan on visiting Kabul, Lebanon, Iraq, Iran, Syria and possibly Mogadishu, Somalia. I also hear the weather is great this time of year in Libya.

I wonder, Mr. Mayor, if you would be visiting (Israel) so often if your daughter still lived in Marlboro.

Why has travel dropped off to Israel? Ask Rabbi Donald Weber of Temple Rodeph Torah, ask the Hamas, the Islamic Jihad or Yasser Arafat.

The simple truth, Mr. Mayor, is that hate permeates the Middle East perpetuated by religious zealots of all races, creeds, etc., to kill anyone who is not like them. Read the Bible carefully, Mr. Mayor. It is completely filled with the wrath of God.

By the way, I’m Jewish, but more importantly American, and proud and lucky to be one. So I take offense when Jews all clamor about what’s going on in Israel.

Do the Israelis worry about us or me, or you, Mr. Mayor? I think not. Their main concern is guarding against the lunatic fringe who wage war against them every day. Safe? I don’t think so. Try Cancun; that’s safe.

You mention that the people who now travel to Israel feel comfortable and safe, and how friendly the people are. Friendly to who? Jews or others?

The problem, Mr. Mayor, is that by joining Volunteers for Israel, we are now just as susceptible as is the Hamas or even priests who are not enjoying themselves lately. Why can’t we be just average folks without any religious affiliation? Where has any of that gotten us? Nowhere.

Let’s worry about America first; we can sure use the help. That’s why we chose to come here.

Your daughter, Amit, hopefully will grow up to be a wonderful woman, but please, Mr. Mayor, don’t be a travel consultant for my children — it is reckless and totally inappropriate and irresponsible. By the way, if you feel this strongly, then why not move to Israel for good? They have a great army that’s looking for volunteers.

So don’t look for me in Israel, Mr. Mayor. I’m going to Afghan-istan or maybe Pakistan to hunt Osama bin Laden. I hear there’s a reward out for him, and with our troops there, I’m feeling safer already.

Saul, this will crack you up, but I just called our State Depart-ment and they are dying to talk to you about your article; maybe it’s the travel advisory they’ve been issuing about going to that safe place. Enjoy the trip.

Mark Grill

Marlboro