Jews and Palestinians are suffering, but the dominant narrative is that Israel is the rightful home of the Jews and needs defending against its enemies.
But there is another narrative. The cruel nature of the Israeli occupation in Gaza and the West Bank is vividly portrayed in two recently released documentaries — “Israelism” and “Where Olive Trees Weep.” They show in graphic detail how residents of Gaza and the West Bank have lived in constant fear of being stopped and degraded by Israeli soldiers, shot, arbitrarily detained and tortured, raided at night in their homes, cut off from their farmland, and harassed and attacked by Jewish settlers. For decades, Palestinians have not been free to move, speak out or own property.
There are many organizations that work toward peace. IfNotNow is a movement founded by American Jews who want to end U.S. support for Israel’s apartheid system and demand equality and justice for both Arabs and Jews. Many Jews felt betrayed when they realized that they grew up not ever learning the Palestinian side of Israel’s history. Arabs were viewed as the enemy and as terrorists. Standing Together is another group, made up of Arabs and Jews, that is working toward a future in which Jews and Arabs can live next to each other with equal rights.
The Oct.7 attack on Israel was a horrific event, with painful consequences for both sides. How much worse is it now that Gaza has been turned into a wasteland, hostage families are still waiting for their loved ones and thousands of Israelis have been displaced? And how much worse is it now that Israel is attacking south Lebanon?
The U.S. government is enabling this expanding war. Despite knowing full well that the atrocities committed in Gaza should lead to restrictions in arms shipments, President Joe Biden has kept the weapons pipeline going. No wonder that many Muslims say they won’t vote for Kamala Harris!
Israel should work for an immediate cease-fire in Gaza to finally get the hostages out. Stopping the occupation is the path to peace.
Like these groups working for justice and peace, the Biden government should work with both sides to find a solution to end the bloodshed and achieve permanent peace.
— Annette Braden-Rozier, Evanston
A vicious attack in peacetime
Joseph Krauss and Sarah El Deeb of The Associated Press are right: Gaza truly is in ruins (“‘This war is destruction and misery,’” Oct. 8). I would ask these diligent reporters: What is Israel supposed to do?
Hamas attacked Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. The terrorists murdered 1,200 Israelis in cold blood, including infants, and added rape and torture to their repertoire. Hamas took 250 people hostage, including small children. One hundred hostages still remain in Gaza. Their status is unknown.
To recount: Hamas violated a cease-fire and attacked Israel in peacetime. Hamas is still holding hostages captive while announcing plans for its next attack on innocent Israelis. Hamas terrorists hide in an elaborate tunnel system that extends for hundreds of miles beneath Gaza. Israel’s military has no choice but to destroy Gazan infrastructure to access the tunnels in order to eliminate the terrorist threat and rescue the hostages.
Hamas could end the war today: Release the hostages and surrender to Israel. Unfortunately, the citizens of Gaza suffer the consequences of their terrorist government’s actions.
— Kenneth Salkover, Chicago
Hamas hostage didn’t just ‘die’
Thank you to the Tribune and Caroline Kubzansky for covering the beautiful memorial event held in Skokie commemorating the people killed in the Oct. 7 massacre by Hamas (“Jewish civic leaders, clergy, officials mark attack’s anniversary,” Oct. 9).
However, please do not write that Hersh Goldberg-Polin “died.” Hersh was executed by his Hamas captors. Tell the world that Hersh was shot in the head at close range by kidnappers and murderers before he turned 24. Hersh didn’t “die.” He was kidnapped, abused and murdered.
May his memory be for a blessing.
— Bonnie Rosen, Evanston
Focus on air traffic control
Regarding the op-ed “Airlines’ frequent flyer programs are not very friendly to loyal travelers” (Oct. 6) by U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin: Airline reward programs are incredibly popular and highly valued by customers. Because there is fierce competition among airlines for customers, loyalty programs are a way carriers say “thank you” to travelers. These are voluntary, opt-in programs that consumers love to take advantage of. Additionally, 1 in every 4 households choose to have an airline credit card to help earn rewards with everyday purchases.
Understandably, many complaints to the Department of Transportation are related to delays and cancellations, clearly an issue that affects passengers. Airlines are doing their part to address issues within their control, but government has been slow to act on issues within its control. The safety and vitality of the U.S. airspace is at an inflection point.
Policymakers should urgently focus on fixing the antiquated air traffic control system and addressing the shortage of 3,000 air traffic controllers.
— Sharon L. Pinkerton, senior vice president of legislative and regulatory policy, Airlines for America, Washington
Force reckoning on airlines
I applaud U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin’s efforts at reforming frequent flyer programs. I remember accumulating points for several years so I could cash them in for first-class tickets to Spain for our family of three. That was back in the day when you had to get up in the middle of the night to be among the first to call when the few seats available to those without status went up for grabs.
Over time, the number of miles needed for premium seats has risen. So much so that I recently cashed in all our remaining points for one-way business-class flights overseas. We will use a different credit card for future transactions.
Until there’s meaningful reform, my advice is to stop using these credit cards. Let the drop in credit card kickbacks tell the airlines we’re on to their shenanigans.
— Jerry Levy, Deerfield
Should this be a priority?
I had to laugh when I saw the op-ed in Sunday’s Tribune by our U.S. senator, Dick Durbin, supporting his Protect Your Points Act. With all the issues facing Chicago, Illinois and the nation, Durbin has picked the airlines’ frequent flyer programs to joust with like Don Quixote.
What will he do for his next contest, tackle the crisis with hotel loyalty programs? Or maybe that with car rental loyalty programs?
— David Swanson, Elgin
A pressing issue of the day?
It’s nice to know that U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin is dealing with one of the pressing issues of the day — airline frequent flyer programs.
— William Boodro, Arlington Heights
Chronic pain affects children
Dr. Kara Margolis’ op-ed “Kids with chronic pain often go untreated, affecting mood” (Oct. 5) brings a much-needed voice to an ongoing issue. For children to have to live with pain in such a way does have a true impact upon their lives and can leave them with questions and doubts that can affect self-esteem and well-being and, later, jobs, relationships and autonomy.
It is a genuine relief to see that viewpoints like Margolis’ are coming more into the forefront. When I was growing up, some situations were deemed best left unsaid and untreated because of thinking that to not focus on them might lessen their power.
I call upon our lawmakers to incorporate educational programs, medication alternatives and mindfulness training into schools and other aspects of children’s lives so their needs are truly seen and validated.
— Mandy May, Skokie
Submit a letter, of no more than 400 words, to the editor here or email letters@chicagotribune.com.