Stop friend from harming themself

To the editor:

(re: “Disappointed, but still support,” Aug. 17)

I am writing to thank our U.S. Representative, Ritchie Torres, for his letter in The Riverdale Press reiterating his opposition to the current Israeli government’s attempt to eliminate the independence of the country’s judiciary — an act that would essentially end Israel’s democracy.

A true friend tries to stop their friend from harming themselves. In his opposition to the judicial overhaul, Rep. Torres shows that he is a true friend of Israel.

Sadly, today, the greatest threat to the continued existence of a free Israel is not a potential Iranian nuke or even terrorism by Palestinians, but Israel’s own government.

While it is the hundreds of thousands of Israelis who have been demonstrating — many of them every day — against this attempted coup who will ultimately defeat it, each of us can do our part to help them: By joining solidarity demonstrations locally, speaking to our rabbis and elected officials, donating to the protest movement, and in other ways.

Local residents who want to help defend Israel’s freedom are invited to contact riverdaleisraeldemocracy@gmail.com

Ron Wegsman