I could give you 6 million good reasons why de-legitimizing the sole Jewish state and lone shelter for the Jewish people throughout the world is in fact nothing short of antisemitism.

However, I would not wish to bore you with such “minutiae.” Instead, allow me to proffer that turning your back on the president of a sovereign nation and close ally is insulting and disrespectful; moreover, it represents turning away from your constituents, which is likewise insulting and disrespectful – only this may well have personal consequences for you!

What is particularly shocking about this sin of omission is that one alarming question comes to mind: How can you possibly work towards consensus without hearing what the perceived contrary opinion is?

Make no mistake the alternative to consensus is stoking the fires of conflict, which is not too admirable a role for you. Constructive criticism is permitted within the guidelines of constructive dialogue, but is wastefully destructive outside of civilized discourse.

Your unwillingness or inability to forge such levels of engagement serves to add misery to the lives of those who have been fed an unceasing diet of terror and violence as a means to an end and who have succumbed to this false narrative.

Those who have courageously stood up for peace have, in contrast, gained proportional representation (sometimes more) in the Knesset, in the judiciary, in leadership roles in industry, hi tech and medicine regardless of their background.

That is how change evolves if deemed necessary. You could be and should be an advocate of that type of positive change, harnessing hope towards peace, progress and prosperity.

Forgive me for the temerity of informing you what your role is or should be but perhaps it is appropriate for us all to bear in mind that when you depart for the lofty heights of the Hill, you represent more than just yourself; you are called to represent your constituents. Again, engagement is key and worryingly absent, for indifference is an insurmountable obstacle to a better world that you could demonstratively be striving for.

As I have always said—bridges need to be built from both sides of the river.

Respectfully yours,

Michael Turek

New Rochelle