LETTERS
Group touts its support
for Israel's military
As the Web site of the Friends of the Israel Defense Forces clearly states, that organization directly supports IDF military functions, contrary to Neal Elyakin (Letters, Feb. 2).
Elyakin claims FOIDF "directly supports soldiers off-duty and families. None of the donated funds go anywhere but to these ends." However, a "cultural and educational center" for the 35th Paratroop Brigade "will be used by the brigade commanders for meetings and discussions before and after missions, operational activities, training and seminars relating to current issues." Other projects include an "auditorium for the Northern Command," a "memorial and briefing room," "computer stations for combat soldiers, "gymnasium and briefing room," etc.
Nonmilitary facilities directly support military operations: "Combat soldiers bear the brunt of the vital mission of safeguarding Israel's borders. ... After long months of arduous training and operations in harsh conditions, hard-working soldiers can get a vacation." This "hard work" includes frequent war crimes, in the view of Israel's B'Tselem and Human Rights Watch. Obviously, the humanitarian aid to soldiers' families supports the IDF's military mission also, and is designed to.
Elyakin modestly omitted that he is FOIDF-Michigan past president and current Jewish Federation president. Objective observers may find that Michigan banks' donations to FOIDF do "support the army of a foreign country" and "intervene in a foreign conflict" and are highly inappropriate.
Harry Clark, Ann Arbor