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July 5th, 2008
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March 12th, 2008 issue

Historical reference

I was astonished to read the following statement in the story “Three new bells on Old Town Square” (News, Feb. 27–March 4):
“There is a grave belonging to a Jewish boy named Šimon Abeles who was brutally tortured and murdered by his father for wanting to convert to Christianity. The boy was buried in 1694 as a martyr with royal court members in attendance.”
The author presents this as a historical fact. But this claim is not supported by any facts. The only evidence about the alleged murder was the father’s confession. But that was made after he was tortured. The alleged murder of a boy who wanted to convert to Christianity was broadly used for propaganda, in full agreement with the official anti-Semitism policies of the time.
The Šimon Ábeles affair, is, together with the similar Leopold Hilsner case, the most well-known anti-Semitic affair in Czech history.
It is very sad to see that The Prague Post repeats a claim that has been a source of suffering for people who believe differently than the majority.
Leo Pavlát
director, Jewish Museum in Prague
Kosovo pro, con
Great to see one side of the story (“Officials wary to sanction Kosovo,” Feb. 27–March 4, News). Why doesn’t anyone mention the genocide that took place in Kosovo, in which more than 14,000 innocent civilians were murdered?
Also, please consider the conference of ambassadors in London in 1912, in which Albania’s borders were torn apart, and Albanian lands were given to the “powers” of the day without Albanian approval.
Dimal Basha
New York City
So many nations have recognized Kosovo’s move to independence from Serbia, but why? Kosovo was inundated by (illegal) Muslim immigrants from Albania and elsewhere. These people usurped power from their hosts during the era of Yugoslavia. Europe already has an issue with Islam’s incursion. Eventually, this conflict will escalate into a major struggle.
European nations must decide which side to be on. It should be the one that most benefits the life they want to live.
Vladimir Val Cymbal
Tarzana, California, U.S.A.
Hockey stars
National pride aside, shouldn’t it be up to the players to decide if they wish to return? (“National hockey team at odds with the NHL,” Sports, Feb. 20–26) I joked with Czech friends during the last Olympics when the Czech Republic played Sweden that it was the Detroit Redwings playing the New York Rangers.
Maybe there should be just a euro team and no separate teams (Czech, Swede, German) in the Olympics, now that we have the EU.
Richard Elliott
Charlotte, North Carolina, U.S.A.


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