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To the editor:
Your recent letter writer Michael Gorman presents a distorted image of current Mid-East events.
Citing unsubstantiated death totals of Palestinians, he vilifies Prime Minister Netanyahu and President Trump. It appears he would recommend Israel do absolutely nothing as it is attacked by Hamas, the Houthis in Yemen and Hezbollah which until the truce, were shelling Israel's northern communities on a daily basis.
Every indication is that Gorman does not merely oppose Netanyahu, the democratically elected head of state, but rather the very existence of the Jewish state of Israel.
Yakov Moshe
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fcannisi
Mr. Moshe, to begin with, no one has expressed opposition to the existence of Israel. What many have and do oppose is the Netanyahu government. Equating the state of Israel with it's government is akin to saying those Americans who disapprove of Donald Trump's policies, which now number 60% in current polls, oppose the existence of America. Both are false equivalencies.
Calling the tens of thousands of Palestinians killed following the October 7 terrorist attack "unsubstantiated", is dismissive of the suffering that innocent Palestinians have endured. The before and after photos of Gaza are a testament to the indiscriminate damage and death Netanyahu has rained down upon Palestinians.
Lastly, no one suggested that Israel do nothing in the face of attacks by Hamas, Hezbollah and the Houthis. HOWEVER, any retaliatory actions should have been measured, precise and proportional. Most of all, the retaliatory actions should have been in compliance with codes of war governing civilized nations - no bombing of civilians, their homes, schools, hospitals or infrastructure, even if the enemy chooses to hide or operate in such places. When criminals take cover behind hostages, the proper response isn't to kill the hostages in order to get the criminals; that is a criminal act which is why Netanyahu has been indicted for war crimes by the International Court.
Wednesday, April 29 Report this
Valete
It is long overdue that someone other than myself possesses the intellectual acumen to discern through Michael Gorman’s distorted perspective on Middle Eastern events and his unkind remarks regarding Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and President Trump. Yakov Moshe accurately elucidates in paragraph three: Every indication suggests that Gorman’s opposition extends beyond Netanyahu, the democratically elected head of state, to the very existence of the Jewish state of Israel.
Thursday, April 30 Report this
Harry
As reported by the New York Times, weeks before October 7, Netanyahu pressured Qatar to continue funneling money to Hamas. This was done over years, the theory being it provided a counterweight to the Palestinian Authority. It is not a stretch to think that the money helped fund the October 7 attack. This is a fact, not imagination.
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/12/10/world/middleeast/israel-qatar-money-prop-up-hamas.html?unlocked_article_code=1.e1A.tgxC.QCFuMOqkxp7Q&smid=url-share
Thursday, April 30 Report this
fcannisi
@harryw, Many Middle East analysts questioned the Israeli (and US) narrative that Hamas - a Sunni group connected to the Muslim Brotherhood- was primarily an Iranian (Shia) proxy.
As you note in your comments, a number of majority-Sunni countries like Egypt, Turkey and Saudi Arabia have all funneled far more support to Hamas through Qatar- with Netanyahu's blessings - than has Iran. It's estimated that Qatar transferred $30 million a month for years, totalling $1.8 billion over the years.
In Israel the Netanyahu/Hamas/Qatar connection is common knowledge.
Thursday, April 30 Report this
Valete
harryw,
I read many newspapers, including The New York Times. I’m familiar with the Times article you mentioned, but I have a different perspective based on the information in the Times article titled ‘Buying Quiet’: Inside the Israeli Plan That Propped Up Hamas.
Multiple Israeli governments enabled money to go to Gaza for humanitarian reasons, not to strengthen Hamas. Prime Minister Netanyahu acted to weaken Hamas significantly. He led three powerful military operations against Hamas, which killed thousands of terrorists and senior Hamas commanders.”
The administrations of three American presidents — Barack Obama, Donald J. Trump, and Joseph R. Biden Jr. — broadly supported having the Qataris play a direct role in funding Gaza operations (according to the Times article.)
Thursday, April 30 Report this
Harry
W M:
Everything you said is accurate. But sadly, the infusion of money to Hamas made it easier to
fund October 7. Hamas, evil incarnate, puts humanitarian aid at a low priority.
Friday, May 1 Report this
Valete
The little man and proven liar, Joseph Cannisi, has nothing better to do in the boondocks of Broome County than to sit on his fat-rump at a computer and poorly write left-wing propaganda that is laughable, poorly written, and Booooooooring (I might add).
This character is a complete storyteller who has nothing constructive to add to any debate—especially—when it comes to the State of Israel (Khazeer ).
Sunday, May 3 Report this
Valete
The Times article did not explicitly state that the infusion of money to Hamas by Qataris funded the events of October 7th. Instead, it suggested that the funds could have potentially been used for that purpose. However, this is merely speculation, not a factual assertion.
Sunday, May 3 Report this
Valete
harryw
Saying that the money infusion to Hamas made it easier to fund Oct. 7 is speculation.
The money from Qatar had humanitarian goals like paying government salaries in Gaza and buying fuel to keep a power plant running. But
The Times article said: Israeli intelligence officials now believe that the money had a role in the success of the Oct. 7 attacks…
However, as I am sure you will agree, believing in a theory does not make it a fact.
"In response to that accusation a Qatar official said: "Any attempt to cast a shadow of uncertainty about the civilian and humanitarian nature of Qatar’s contributions and their positive “impact is baseless,”
Sunday, May 3 Report this
fcannisi
Today, May 5th another Israeli atrocity. Over 100 bombs dropped in less than 10 minutes in a density inhabited residential area in Lebanon killing over a hundred civilians. The bombing took place during the midday lunch hour, while Israel was supposed to be abiding by a ceasefire. May 5th is being called "Black Wednesday" in Lebanon.
There's nothing distorted about the way the world now sees Israel. Netanyahu has accomplished what was once thought impossible - he has turned Americans against his country. For the first time since Israel's formation in 1948, a majority of Americans have an unfavorable view of Israel.
Tuesday, May 5 Report this
Valete
Israel is not just a strategic asset; it serves as a beacon of democracy in the Middle East, setting an example for the world on how to withstand the fanaticism and hatred prevalent in the region’s hearts and ideologies, which stem from ignorance and stupidity. (Ultimately, these negative traits will cancel each other out when their effects are undone through balance and the adoption of opposing ideologies.)
Saturday, May 9 Report this
Valete
If there were any thinkers left, they’d realize that the worldwide anti-Semitism explosion after October 7, 2023, is similar to political campaigns. Those running them focus on volunteers, leadership, messaging, money, advertising, and social media.
The campaign against Israel was “ready to go” and “kicked off” with 2,500 anti-Israel protests worldwide, even before Israel retaliated. They employed professional signs, organizers, and a global campaign.
And when Hamas orchestrated the heinous October 7 attack on God’s “chosen people,” President Trump was sent to assist our closest ally and teach the predominantly anti-Israel global community about right and wrong, good and evil, and the principles that warrant defense and sacrifice in this topsy-turvy world.
hat The campaign against Israel was “ready to go” and “kicked off” with 2,500 anti-Israel protests around the world — “even before Israel started to fight back!” They were using professional signs, professional organizers, a professional global campaign, and that’s hard to do, but they pulled it off.
Saturday, May 9 Report this