Jewish critics of Israel display moral courage
White Rock, British Columbia: Although the Israeli state’s tendency for committing war crimes against innocent Palestinian noncombatants, which includes so very many children, may occasionally be internationally condemned as intolerable, the atrocities will ultimately be tolerated, if not implicitly encouraged, by nations with any ability to hinder them. Therefore, condemnations — which are relatively few considering the seriousness and scope of the atrocities — are but paper tigers, if not the cruelest frauds.
Yet, significantly, there are Jews vocally condemning the prolonged and heartless IDF onslaught, like the anti-Zionist Neturei Karta. It must be difficult for decent Jews with such a strong conscience when they publicly denounce Israel’s atrocities and are then denounced as “self-hating” by the extreme-Zionism powers trying to shame them into self-censoring. I’ve long been vocally critical of the clear decades-long maltreatment (to put it mildly) of the general Palestinian populace by the Israeli government and security/defense agencies. I was pleasantly surprised at the cutline below a large photo accompanying a June 26 Middle East Monitor story (headlined “UK’s largest Jewish group punishes members who broke silence on Gaza genocide”): “A young Charedi Orthodox Jew holds a placard during the demonstration. Orthodox Charedi Jews joined many thousands of pro-Palestinian protestors outside Downing Street accusing Israel and Zionists of genocide in Gaza.”
They may see that all lives and needless suffering should matter to us all, yet that’s much easier for a conscience to dismiss when one considers another an innately lower life form. As a gentile, I can only imagine how I would act if in their position — if I could be as conscientiously strong-willed and brave. Frank Sterle Jr.
Think of all victims
New Rochelle, N.Y.: Former Gov. Andrew Cuomo called the ceasefire and the long-awaited return of the hostages “more than a diplomatic success.” He called it “a moral moment, a reminder of our shared humanity and the sacred value of every life.” Yes, we must never forget. But we must also paint the picture completely. As our hearts fill with joy seeing hostage families reunited, we remember the healing that must take place. We remember the lives of those hostages who could not return home. We remember the 67,000-plus Palestinians who lost their lives. We remember countless families and children broken from fear. We remember the malnutrition, wounds and starvation and the denial of humanitarian aid. We remember the people who are walking toward homes that are nothing but rubble. Understanding shared humanity — this is where the real work begins, and it starts with us. Joanne Harris
He gets the credit
Bronx: Although I still think the current president is horrendous, you have to give him his due for getting the hostages home and stopping the bombing and the killing of the Palestinians. He rightfully should feel proud of his accomplishment. Martin Sandok
Domestic dirty deeds
Paramus, N.J.: Did any Nobel Peace Prize winner ever send troops in after his own citizens? Tom Greff
Tyrant’s playbook
Bronx: The next war we face has to do with the current administration entranced with its own agenda and not the majority of our citizens. When the focus is to disrupt the pursuit of citizens’ needs and cause havoc in our cities, we fall into his pursuit of arrogance and selfish greed. He is following a script that was used countless times before, and it seems (as in the past) that it has to get worse before the rest of our government and all institutions decide the time has come to hold them accountable and change the course of the U.S.A. Let’s make our country safe from the mentality that is currently in vogue. Mark Benveniste
Galvanizing
Manhattan: Virginia Sens. Tim Kaine and Mark Warner are standing firm with the rest of the Democrats in demanding that our health care be restored, and that President Trump stop ripping us off by cutting funds that Congress has already agreed to spend. Lots of federal and former federal workers live in Virginia, but threats of more firings don’t work on these senators, who’ve seen the government being radically hollowed out since Inauguration Day. It’s a troubling time for the Constitution and for the American people when the MAGA GOP has allowed Trump to neuter Congress while stacking the Supreme Court with compliant toadies. The old way of the minority party giving way in a shutdown won’t work this time. The peaceful No Kings protests tomorrow, with American flags flying, will show our representatives how we feel. And we’ll all be showing up for free! Joel Chaffee
Back-seating science
Manhattan: The American Association for the Advancement of Science has estimated that if the administration succeeds in cutting the 2026 federal science budget from $198 billion to $154 billion, it would represent the smallest amount the federal government has spent on science in this century. The result “would end America’s longstanding role as the world leader in science and innovation.” Toby Smith, the senior vice president for government relations and public policy at the Association of American Universities, said this in July. Alan Lehrer
Unwelcome animals
Brooklyn: While sitting on a bench along the promenade of Shore Road, which stretches from 101st St. to 69th St. in Brooklyn and overlooks the beautiful views of the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge and the harbor, and encompasses several parks and picnic areas, a good friend of mine who goes there almost every morning said he has seen rats on many occasions. There are many children who play in the parks, and people sit on benches trying to enjoy the beautiful views. Can the city do anything to control the population of rats without harming the squirrels, birds and neighborhood pets? Clare Mazza
The damage was done
Howard Beach: My head is pounding from all the election ads. One of Cuomo’s loudest promises is 5,000 new police officers for NYC, stating, “Public safety must be #1.” It truly baffles me that crime can be such a high priority when, as governor, he signed parole reform that would return criminals back to our streets with no regard for our public safety. These reforms set up the release of more than 30 NYC cop killers. How can we kiss the blue on the cheek and stab them in the back? Annie Sullivan
Policy over apology
Las Vegas: Zohran Mamdani’s apology to the NYPD on Oct. 15 was nothing more than what a typical Democrat politician would say to gain votes. Mamdani showed his true colors when he entered the mayoral race and recited the true Democrat creed: Say whatever the people want to hear, cater to the poor and miserable and promise miracles. What an embarrassment, another example of an inept New York politician. If Mamdani means well and wants to regain his position with the NYPD, he should lift the ban on bail and reconsider defunding police policies. Let’s see if he is a real New Yorker or a wolf in sheep’s clothing. Thomas Chin
Sex work slippery slope
Yonkers: Melissa Broudo (“Mamdani’s bill decriminalizing sex work is just,” op-ed, Oct. 14) lives in a fantasy world if she believes that what works in New Zealand will work in NYC. She writes that by eliminating fear of arrests, sex workers can access labor protections, health services and justice. What about justice for the people who live where sex workers ply their trade? Where children see sex acts happening in cars, hallways, alleys, etc., and condoms litter where they live? Do you seriously believe that by eliminating “police harassment,” the lot of the sex worker will improve? Wouldn’t decriminalization encourage more women (and men) to join, increasing the ranks of these marginalized people? More people walking the streets increases competition, which will no doubt result in more violence. My prediction is that Roosevelt Aves. will proliferate across our once-great metropolis and we’ll be closer to becoming what Calcutta once was. Thomas J. Mullen
Modified slogan
Holliswood: From the river to the sea, New York City must remain Mamdani free! Gregory W. Chupa
