Anti-Semitic Terrorism: The ‘Tree of Life’ Tragedy

THE ISSUE: The shooting at a Pittsburgh synagogue that killed 11 people and injured many more.

As a resident of Pittsburgh and an Ahmadi Muslim, I condemn this senseless attack on the Tree of Life Synagogue (“Slain for their faith,” Oct. 29). I pray for the loved ones affected and the innocent lives lost.

Let’s not give this incident a political color, but rather see it as an attack on humanity. Anti-Semitism has no place in the America I know. As Muslims, we are taught to protect places of worship, including synagogues. Islam requires it.

I extend a helping hand to the Jewish community in this time of grief and great loss.

Nayyar Ahmed Pittsburgh, Pa.

Mayor Bill Peduto of Pittsburgh has rejected President Trump’s appeal for more armed guards in places of worship.

Armed guards alone won’t stop terrorist actions and mass shootings, but it could limit the scope and damage.

Gun control, especially banning assault weapons, is needed, as well as complementary remedies. Until both measures are taken, we can expect the same outcome — death.

David DiBello Brooklyn

Innocent souls were indiscriminately murdered by a gunman who was high on blind hatred and careless rhetoric.

Now more than ever, we need leadership that can help heal our bleeding country. Rest in peace, fellow citizens.

Ron Spurga Manhattan

Despite the calls of “Never Forget” and “Never Again,” urging us to learn from the past while remaining vigilant, we so often remain complacent and forgetful.

Post-Holocaust pogroms and the unremitting presence of antiSemitism, both in Europe and our own country, should be a clear reminder that this scourge is alive and flourishing.

When news outlets make little or no mention of newly desecrated cemeteries, freshly painted swastikas and Jews being referred to as “termites,” the massacre in a Pittsburgh synagogue should come as no surprise.

Sadly, this horrific event will be brushed aside and quickly forgotten.

S.P. Hersh Lawrence

The rise of lone-wolf hate crimes and divisive politics in our country is extremely alarming.

In this case, the attack was not directly perpetrated by our leadership, but it is clear that Trump’s rhetoric has created an atmosphere that is influencing attacks.

Jariullah Adnan Severn, Md.

Somehow, the random acts of mentally disordered individuals like Robert Bowers must be linked to the political rhetoric of the day.

To blame the left’s violent protests or Trump’s nationalism is wrong. A single, murderous act of a deranged psychopath does not represent the ideology of any party.

Let’s resist the urge to make it political. Sometimes an act of lunacy is just that — lunacy.

Robert Mangi Westbury

Trump is being roundly criticized for daring to suggest that if there had been an armed guard at the synagogue in Pittsburgh, this horrific attack might have been stopped, or at least minimized.

Some people believe that only the government should protect people, and that private citizens should have no role in their own protection. This is nonsense.

An attack must be stopped as quickly as possible, or it will be too late for unarmed victims. There have been similar attacks in other states in which armed citizens saved lives.

Robert DeCandia New Hyde Park

There are far too many people who should not possess weapons. When are our congressmen going to get off their overpaid and underworked backsides and tackle this issue of gun control?

Shopping malls, movie theaters, public parks, stadiums, schools and houses of worship no longer seem to be safe.

What are we supposed to do — cower in our homes? People should be able to go about their everyday business and not have to live with that kind of fear.

John Amato Fresh Meadows