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To the editor:
In November 1945 the first Nuremberg trial began. Associate Supreme Court Justice Robert Jackson, the chief prosecutor for the U.S., described the crimes of the surviving Nazi leadership as “so malignant, and so devastating that civilization cannot tolerate their being ignored, because it cannot survive their being repeated.” The defendants were indicted on four counts: conspiracy, crimes against peace, war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Nearly 80 years later, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Secretary Yoav Gallant (the arrest warrants for three leaders of Hamas were rendered void when Israel killed them). Netanyahu and Gallant were charged with alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity. In a tragic irony, those are the same counts the Nazis were charged at Nuremberg.
The two Israeli leaders were accused of criminal responsibility for war crimes in Gaza, including “starvation as a method of warfare and intentionally directing attacks against civilians,” as well as crimes against humanity in Gaza, including “murder, persecution, and other inhuman acts”.
Israel was a major issue in the race for New York City mayor, with Zohran Mamdani the object of Islamophobic attacks given his strong support for Palestinian rights and his sharp criticism of Israel. Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a social media post said Mamdani was a “mouthpiece for Hamas propaganda, excuses terror and normalizes antisemitism. He stands with Jews only when they are dead.”
The New York Democratic political establishment, including Senators Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Governor Kathy Hochul, State Chair Jay Jacobs, former Governor Andrew Cuomo and Mayor Eric Adams, had nothing to say about this intemperate attack on its Democratic candidate for mayor. They also are silent about justifying their unconditional support for Israel, despite its highly disturbing military actions over the last two years in the occupied territories. Willful moral blindness is no excuse.
Howard Elterman
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fcannisi
No person or entity has caused more harm to the Israeli people and State of Israel than has Netanyahu and his allies. Netanyahu has transformed Israel into a state sponsor of terrorism.
Thursday, November 6, 2025 Report this
fcannisi
One last thought, despite Trump's vaunted "ceasefire peace deal", Israel continues to bomb Gaza and kill Palestinians. Additionally, Israel continues it campaign of starvation by only allowing 100 aid trucks to enter Gaza each day, woefully short of the need, and blocking NGO's from distributing that aid. Shameful!
Thursday, November 6, 2025 Report this