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To the editor:
Those who equate criticism of Israel with anti-Semitism are wrong. The Oct. 7, 2023, terrorist attack by Hamas was horrendous. But nothing justifies Israel’s genocidal response in Gaza.
Indiscriminate carpet bombing has killed over 50,000 Palestinians, mostly civilians, including women and children.
Hospitals, schools, apartment buildings, water processing and power plants have been leveled. Recently, a ship loaded with humanitarian aid destined for Gaza was attacked off Malta, and famine is widespread as Israel blocks food aid from reaching starving Palestinians. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s tactics violate international law, and the world’s top war-crimes court issued an arrest warrant for him. Netanyahu’s actions and those of the Israeli government are illegal, immoral and indefensible.
It took the Biden Administration over a year to secure a ceasefire for hostages deal; Donald Trump unraveled that deal in a single afternoon. Roughly two weeks after taking office, Trump met Netanyahu on Feb. 4. Trump emerged from this meeting and announced that he would “take over” Gaza, suggesting that U.S. troops would be deployed “if it’s necessary.”
Upon returning to Israel, Netanyahu unilaterally broke the ceasefire/hostage deal, quickly resuming his brutal starvation and bombing campaign. On May 16, NBC news uncovered Trump’s plan to relocate over 1 million Palestinians to Libya using billions in assets frozen under the Obama administration as bait. Like a wrestling tag team, Netanyahu brutalizes Gaza and Trump offers to forcibly remove its people and steal their land. Who voted for this?
Joseph Cannisi
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J.Donne
On October 7th, 2023, Hamas terrorists launched a brutal attack on Israel, committing war crimes against humanity. The attack resulted in the deaths of 1,400 civilians, injuries to 3,300 individuals, and the abduction of 200 hostages.
During the attack, Hamas posted barbaric videos on social media showing terrorists holding families, including men, women, children, and the elderly, as hostages in homes. Most of these hostages were brutally murdered, by beheadings and burning. To compound the suffering, Hamas terrorists have engaged in heinous acts, including the brutal abduction and murder of a baby from the womb of an Israeli woman, the **** and sexual assault of women and girls, and the imprisonment of innocent civilians in the Gaza Strip.
Israel must unwaveringly safeguard its borders and protect its citizens from Hamas’s reprehensible terrorist activities. Genocide and anti-Semitism are closely interconnected historical phenomena, as evidenced by numerous historical instances.
"Wanton killing of innocent civilians is terrorism, not a war against terrorism."
-Noam Chomsky-
Wednesday, May 21 Report this
namrogm
Mr Cannisi is right. Nothing justifies the slaughter of 50,000 Palestinians, possibly 20,000 children, as well as the starvation of many by food deprivation. And just a week ago the intentional bombing of a European hospital, Protests by Palestinians against Israeli atrocities are not antisemitic if the purpose and motives are to stop and prevent the killing of innocent civilians.
Thursday, May 22 Report this
J.Donne
On May 21, 2025, Sarah Pilgrim and Aaron Lischinsky, both employed at the Israeli embassy in Washington, were tragically shot and killed while exiting an event at the Capital Jewish Museum. The suspected perpetrator, Elias Rodriguez, was apprehended at the scene and was recorded uttering the phrase “Free Palestine” in videos. Politicians from both sides of the political spectrum in the United States have condemned this cowardly act, denouncing it as a blatant expression of anti-Semitism. Rodriguez subsequently confessed to the police, stating that the act was motivated by a desire to support Palestine. This senseless act of violence, fueled by anti-Semitism, is all too prevalent in contemporary society.
When we condone violence against the Jewish community, we inadvertently condone violence against all communities. This horrific act of violence requires no further elaboration..
Friday, May 23 Report this
reenjoe
I have not seen or heard a single person condone the October 7th attack. In fact, reactions have been quite the opposite. The above letter acknowledges that the attack was horrendous. However, two wrongs never make a right.
There are verified accounts of IDF soldiers committing violent sexual attacks on innocent civilians - men, women and children - mirroring the 10/7 attacks. And IDF soldiers have posted videos of themselves killing and torturing unarmed Palestinians, including one in which an 80-year-old man was murdered. The IDF even targeted World Kitchen aid workers.
The question being raised is whether or not the Israeli government response to 10/7 has been genocidal. Evidence proves that to be the case. Israeli has levelled Gaza using cluster bombs; weapons have been banned by 120 nations. To his discredit, Biden supplied some of those bombs. Biden's blank check Israeli policy was a disaster; Trump's posture is even worse.
Can we all agree with Noam Chomsky, even as it applies to Israel?
Friday, May 23 Report this
J.Donne
In a concise sentence, the aforementioned letter acknowledges the horrific terrorist attack perpetrated by Hamas on October 7, 2023, while simultaneously failing to provide specific details regarding the targeted entity.
Beyond that point, the letter constitutes a condemnation of Israel. It specifically criticizes the Israeli government’s response to the 10/7 Hamas attack on Israel, including Israel’s use of cluster bombs, the use of IDF soldiers, and the targeting of aid workers. Notably, the letter writer does not once condemn the brutal terrorist acts committed by Hamas against Israel and its citizens, which is a significant omission.
In essence: "War is hell." The phrase is attributed to American Civil War general William Tecumseh Sherman.
Saturday, May 24 Report this
reenjoe
Calling out the Hamas 10/7 attack as "horrendous" isn't a condemnation??? What universe does J. Donne live in?
Donne quotes Noam Chomsky and doesn't even recognize the irony. Chomsky made that quote in his book "9-11 Was there an alternative?" as a criticism of the American response to the 9/11 attacks.
As was the case in the U.S. prosecution of its war on terrorism following 9/11, Israel has responded to the 10/7 terrorist attack by engaging in terrorism themselves.
Saturday, May 31 Report this
J.Donne
reenjoe
Your letter is not a paean to Israel; it is one-sided and a condemnation of Israel. Denying this fact is laughable!
Tuesday, June 3 Report this