LETTERS
Letter misrepresents Israel charity's purpose
In 1942, David Ben Gurion, the first prime minister of Israel, established the Committee for the Welfare of Soldiers, whose first order of business was providing blankets for soldiers. Now called the Association for the Wellbeing of Israel's Soldiers and in America the Friends of the Israel Defense Forces, it is a registered nonprofit charity that supports social, educational and recreational programs and facilities for the young male and female soldiers of Israel who defend the Jewish homeland.
This is a fact overlooked by Ms. Barlow's letter of Jan. 13.
She failed to relate that AWIS provides needed services to the widows and children of soldiers who have fallen in defense of Israel. AWIS does not support the army of a foreign country, nor does it intervene in a foreign conflict. It is a charity, one that directly supports soldiers off-duty and families.
None of the donated funds go anywhere but to these ends. Ms. Barlow should research more before lashing out against such a worthwhile organization. Neither the government of Israel, the Israel Defense Forces nor any other body subsidizes AWIS.
The fact that banks have supported the efforts of this organization to provide this humanitarian aid should be celebrated, not berated. Ms. Barlow attempted to connect a fine, upstanding charitable organization with a political situation. AWIS and FIDF exist solely to look out for the needs of the families of those men and women who are obligated to serve in uniform protecting their nation.
Neal H. Elyakin, Ann Arbor