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To the editor:
Michael J. Gorman cites Confucius in promoting strategy for Israel when dealing with the terrorist organization Hamas in Gaza (“Extremist positions,” The Chief, Dec. 8). Oddly, he fails to go back to the Bible in which the land is promised to the Jewish people, something all Jews and Christians of faith recognize.
While there are liberal and conservative Israelis in democratic Israel, Hamas control all of Gaza society and teach genocide of Jews in their schools.
Overwhelmingly, Gazan civilians support the terrorist actions of Oct. 7, which included rape, murder and beheadings. Mr. Gorman should be mindful of the fact that Israel left Gaza in 2005. Since then, there has been no peace, only rockets and terrorism. In fact, prior to 1967 and the attack by Arab states, there were no "occupied territories" at all. Yet, Israel had not one day of peace. In fact, when Israel was created in 1948, Arab armies attacked the fledgling state which was sanctioned by the United Nations.
Innocent Palestinians? Gazans who worked in Southern Israel communities provided diagrams and information on residents and their communities to aid and abet the terrorists. Others paraded cheering through Gaza with terrified hostages.
Rather than Confucius, think about the famous statement of the Jewish sages who stated that "he who is merciful to the cruel is destined to be cruel to the merciful.” Think about it.
Norman Rosenfeld
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reenjoe
I would like to remind Mr. Rosenfeld of the statement of another Jewish sage, Albert Einstein, who said "Peace cannot be kept by force. It can only be achieved by understanding. You cannot subjugate a nation forcibly unless you wipe out every man, woman, and child. Unless you wish to use such drastic measures, you must find a way of settling your disputes without resort to arms." Unfortunately, it seems PM Netanyahu may be willing to "use such drastic measures"; the U.S. should not. If that is the path Israel chooses, they should do so alone without our support.
I would also remind the above author that it is Netanyahu who has for years consistently (and very recently), rejected the creation of a free, independent Palestine.
Wednesday, January 24 Report this
wpeakes
@Norman Rosenfeld
There is no way you can gloss over Israel's disproportionate response to the Oct 7 terrorist attack. Many, myself included, felt tremendous sadness and outrage at the time but now it looks like Israel is only interested in bloody revenge, not to hold those responsible accountable. As the most sophisticated armed forces in the region there must be a better way for Israelis to achieve their stated goals rather than the slaughter of innocent (yes, innocent Palestinians) bystanders many, many of which are non-combatants.
Thursday, January 25 Report this