I’m asking the pro-Palestinian college demonstrators for answers. How should Israel have reacted after the atrocities committed by Hamas on Oct. 7? If a cease-fire is implemented between Israel and Hamas, what assurance can the protesters give that Hamas will abide by it? Who broke the cease-fire that existed up until Oct. 6?
Isn’t it in Hamas’ charter to kill all Jews, not only in Israel but worldwide? Is Hamas at all interested in a two-state solution? Will Hamas continue to teach children hatred and death toward Israel and the Jews? Will Hamas share the aid it receives from friendly countries with the Palestinians, or will it continue to siphon off most of that funding for military purposes and self-enrichment? Will Hamas and its minions treat all of its countrymen equally, or harshly quash the LGBTQ community?
The Palestinian people are suffering on two fronts — from without and from within!
— Sam Solomon, Deerfield
Aid to Israel endangers us
A billion dollars in weapons from the U.S. to Israel? That’s overkill in more ways than one, especially since what’s going on in Gaza is mostly on-the-street combat. That money could be so much better spent in Ukraine or in Gaza for civilian aid.
President Joe Biden is endangering not only Palestinians in Gaza who do not belong to the hateful Hamas, but also us Jews in the U.S. and elsewhere who are increasingly dealing with antisemitism because of what is going on in Gaza. He is also endangering his election support, which is even more worrying.
The U.S. must stop the unconditional support of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, something Netanyahu does not have in Israel. His scorched-earth tactics are destructive to all sides.
We must find better ways to get Hamas out of power and both hostages and civilians protected and home.
— Joyce Porter, Oak Park
Ukraine’s need versus Israel’s
Such a dilemma! Two friends need our help. One needs our support in defending its homeland against a world superpower that threatens the stability of Western Europe. The other needs our support in reducing to rubble a territory of about 140 square miles and killing tens of thousands of its habitants.
How on earth are we to decide who to support with our monies and armaments?
— David Haeckel, Chicago
Protesters’ slogan not peaceful
The Tribune article about the halting of yearbook distribution at Bartlett High School contains information that is easily disproved.
It states: “For Palestinians and their allies, the slogan ‘from the river to the sea’ is a call for peace and equality after 75 years of Israeli statehood and decadeslong, open-ended Israeli military rule over millions of Palestinians, according to The Associated Press. However, pro-Israeli activists often hear a clear demand for Israel’s destruction.
“According to Avi Gordon, executive director of Alums for Campus Fairness, he and other pro-Israeli community members believe the term ‘from the river to the sea’ is an anti-semitic charge.”
Jews hear an antisemitic charge because “from the river to the sea” has never been about “peace and equality.” A two-minute search of the historical use of the phrase reveals that it has always been about the destruction of Israel.
The Tribune has printed a blatant falsehood.
— Lara Gartner, Chicago
Letter writer smears Israel
Idhan Tahirovic’s May 21 letter (“Expression of their conscience”) includes most of the usual tired libels against Israel: “genocide,” “starving” and “invasion of Gaza” (with no reference to the war being Israel’s response to Hamas’ invasion of Israel).
He concludes: “Being against Israel and Zionists does not mean that one is antisemitic.”
Maybe not, but it’s a start.
— Gary Katz, Long Grove
Blame for Jesus’ death
I recently read in my local paper, The Daily News Newburyport, Jonathan Zimmerman’s op-ed on Israel and antisemitism (“Don’t shut down debate about Israel and antisemitism,” May 13). In it, he writes about the continued blaming over the years of Jews for Jesus’ Crucifixion and refers to the film “The Passion of the Christ.”
As a Catholic, I wrote an essay about this when the film first came out. Through my research, the ah-ha moment for the blame over the centuries came from the man I nicknamed the “Protestant Pope,” the Rev. Billy Graham.
In response to the Mel Gibson-directed film, Graham stated: “”The film is faithful to the Bible’s teaching that we are all responsible for Jesus’ death, because we have all sinned. It is our sins that caused His death, not any particular group. No one who views this film’s compelling imagery will ever be the same.”
— Kevin Noa, Merrimac, Massachusetts
Recognizing own ignorance
I’m a 93-year-old Jewish woman and am only now realizing the unintended hurt my friends and I may have caused as ignorant kids, using nicknames and terms that I now know were unkind and uncalled for. How little we knew!
If we heard anyone using a slur against Jewish people, we were horrified, but as we jumped rope, we recited jingles I wouldn’t dream of repeating now.
I mention this for one reason only: ignorance. How many slights does it cause? How many long-term losses in terms of potential friendships? How much grace and forgiveness are called for?
— Bindy Bitterman, Chicago
How do we help the world?
Elizabeth Shackelford’s May 17 op-ed “An alarming number of people are suffering displacement across world” should make us all sit up and take notice — especially if we think that “across the world” means we Americans won’t be affected.
The United States is the second-largest producer of carbon emissions after China (and one could argue that China is No. 1 only because it’s supplying America and other countries with goods).
Americans are justifiably concerned about both immigration and the fragility of democracy. If climate change is allowed to grow even worse, exponential numbers of world citizens will be leaving their uninhabitable environments in search of new homes. As rivers dry up, water will become a prime resource. As sea levels rise, islands and coasts will become submerged, and even more people will be on the move. Guess where they will want to live?
And, as the world appears to be leaning toward authoritarianism, world leaders may be less concerned about solving problems like global warming and more concerned about staying in power or even waging war — so the displacement problem will get worse.
As the spouse of a career diplomat like Shackelford and as a concerned citizen, I applaud her for her op-ed.
OK, you’ve heard the “gloom and doom” scenario. So, what can we do to prevent that scenario from happening?
First, we need to be in regular contact with our members of Congress, letting them know that urgently mitigating climate change is at the top of our agenda. New research shows that incorporating a carbon fee is the most effective way to mitigate global warming.
Second, we need to urge local and state officials to acquaint themselves better with the many incentives available in the Inflation Reduction Act and encourage them to hold town meetings to educate and encourage constituents to use these energy-saving tools.
Finally, we need to join with others to fight collectively — there is power in numbers. That’s why we must vote, and it’s why I helped to start a local chapter of Citizens’ Climate Lobby, a nonpartisan grassroots lobbying organization. But there are many other worthy organizations full of dedicated people who understand the enormity of what is happening and are working hard to save our planet.
I’ve found it’s much more positive and soul-affirming to work alongside others than to wring my hands alone.
— Francesca Kelly, co-leader, Greater Highland Park/Deerfield chapter, Citizens’ Climate Lobby
Submit a letter, of no more than 400 words, to the editor here or email letters@chicagotribune.com.
