About the publisher: John E. Golub, who describes himself as a protester against the government of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, avoids raising the important issue of the undemocratic nature of the country’s legal system.

As Golub points out, they exist

a

no clear constitution for judges; What he fails to mention is that these judges are usually chosen from a clique of other judges and lawyers. This is different from the United States, where the president appoints and confirms federal judges and the senate reviews them.

Yes, politics play a role. However, the Knesset (Israel’s parliament) currently has almost no say in nominations. At first glance, this is undemocratic.

The current government has gone too far with the proposed changes. However, democratic reforms and demarcation of powers would be healthy.

Barry F. Chaitin, Newport Beach

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About the publisher: Kudos to Israel’s patriotic protesters who (for now) repelled Netanyahu’s attack on the Israeli judiciary. The timing seems almost foreseeable as the Jews prepare to celebrate Passover, a holiday commemorating the deliverance of the ancient Hebrews from the oppression of a pharaoh.

Netanyahu began his political career as Israel’s John F. Kennedy, the charismatic younger brother who stepped in when his anointed older brother died defending his country. (Joseph Kennedy Jr. died in World War II; Yoni Netanyahu, who led Israel’s 1976 liberation of 102 hostages in Entebbe, Uganda, was killed.)

“Bibi” then became Israel’s Ronald Reagan, who took on the “evil empire” in Iran, and also his Bill Clinton, who spearheaded a thriving technology-driven economy.

But now he has become both Israel’s Richard Nixon for trying to fire Secretary of Defense Yoav Gallant and his Donald Trump for attacking his country’s democratic foundations to serve his personal interests.

Stephen A. Silver, San Francisco