World must push for peace
Re Israel carries out its deadliest airstrike on Gaza, killing at least 42 people, including children, May 16
At times such as this, do we really need to wait for Daniel’s prophecy (the book of Daniel 9:24) for peace in Jerusalem to live up to its name: “City of Peace?”
As we watch the violence in Israel, we must recognize that this is not any of the many wars Israel has fought in the Middle East.
Who among the world’s leaders will step up and end the murder and carnage of the innocent?
Daniel Kowbell, Mississauga
When I was a young child dreaming about where we would be as a species in 2021, I pictured flying cars, amazing technology and world peace; unfortunately dreams were all that they were.
The atrocities that have ensued due to the escalating Israeli-Palestinian conflict is gut-wrenching, to say the least. Children, who should be dreaming of the future, are living the nightmare of burying their parents. Parents who are supposed to enjoy their nights with their children are now praying for them at their funerals.
This is the reality of the Middle East. Why do we let such conflict exist? Perhaps we have learned nothing from the past and are still the primitive global society that enables conflict and the rights of innocent civilians to be stripped in the name of war.
Where are the leaders who constantly preach peace and harmony?
Have they all vanished every time a conflict arises?
Which leader will rise up and strive to bring peace to the Middle East? Kunwar Karim, Alliston, Ont.
Re Media coverage helps fuel anti-Semitism, and Palestinian experiences are no longer hidden, May 19
I was disappointed to see Amira Elghawaby’s and Michael Levitt’s columns about the conflict in Gaza presented as a let’s-hear-both-sides debate in Wednesday’s Star, and at Levitt’s deliberately obtuse misrepresentation of anti-Zionism as anti-Semitism.
As a reader, I understand that coverage of this conflict is fraught and likely to generate anger no matter what is written. That means that context, nuance and a careful accounting of power dynamics are critical inclusions for informed, valuable journalism.
Framing these arguments as equal opposites fails each of those ambitions and perpetuates unhelpful misconceptions.
Brian Decker, Oakville
As a Jew who once lived in Israel, I am appalled by the letter from the “Canadian Jewish Community.”
Over and over again, studies have shown the majority of Canada’s Jewish community does not support the Israeli occupation of Palestine.
The ad in the Star that purports to represent the Jewish community has several serious errors, the most egregious being that Israel has presented three serious peace offers since 2000.
Those offers, which were primarily based on Israel retaining the settlements in occupied territory or claiming more territory, were never serious offers, with no resolution of the status of Jerusalem as a shared capital.
The loss of life is much higher in Gaza than in Israel.
The letter talks about lies and misinformation, but offers no concrete examples.
When will the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA) and its allies bemoan the illegal occupation of Palestine and name it apartheid?
Karen Lior, Toronto
I am sure the full-page ad in Saturday’s Star reflected views of some in the Canadian Jewish Community. They do not reflect mine.
The occupation and land seizures by the Israeli state has made a peaceful two-state solution impossible. For me, as for many around the world, there is only one way of protecting lives: one demoractic state for all Jews, Muslims and Christians who live there.
I remind everyone that the views of the Israeli state are not shared by Jews everywhere, and its actions are not done in my name.
As we would say in Yiddish: “Nit in meyn nomen.”
Debbie Field, Toronto
Re Pray for all facing danger in Israel, Gaza, May 18
This reminds me of the “thoughts and prayers” politicians offer to people in death and distress.
If you want to pray, fine, but who is listening?
If anyone did, this never-ending conflict would be over generations ago.
It is about time the current Israeli and Palestinian leaderships step aside and let the moderates govern. The time for mythical two-state solution is over. It is time the walls come down, tunnels end and people become free in manageable stages to share power and prosperity.
The status quo is untenable, the world is fatigued and raising generations of damaged children making things worse for all. No, it’s not prayer we need, but action, to solve the problem by voters and visionaries from within, not from outside.
Prad Chaudhuri, Mississauga
Re Media coverage helps fuel anti-Semitism, May 19
Michael Levitt does a terrible disservice to Canada’s Jewish community by equating criticism of Israel with antiSemitism.
As a former member of Parliament and current president and CEO of a prominent Jewish organization, he should be focused on protecting the Jewish community.
He should be focused on neutralizing the descendants of the Jew-haters in the Christie Pits Riot in 1933. These are the Proud Boys and other white supremacists.
As a Jew, I do not fear people who are critical of Israel. Many of them are Jewish. I am afraid of people who hate me because I am a Jew.
Wolfe Erlichman, Godfrey, Ont.
Re Countries call for ceasefire in Gaza, May 19 The Boys’ Book Club, of which I’m a member, is now reading Colum McCann’s novel “Apeirogon,” based on the true story of an Israeli and a Palestinian man who each lost a young daughter to this seemingly endless conflict.
They are two men who travel around speaking about the need for a lasting peace.
At this time, quiet diplomacy and reaffirming the rights of all people to live in peace is the best we have.
While all peoples’ lives matter, it seems the right to own land, to wield power and weaponry seem to matter more.
Dr. Ron Charach, Toronto
The fact that at least 63 innocent Palestinian and two Israeli children have died in this conflict (as of Wednesday), not including adult civilians, is a grave matter that brings shame to humanity and the lopsided and indiscriminate response from the Israeli government.
It is high time the world’s leaders step in to stop further injustice.
The mandate of the UN is to maintain international peace and security and, to date, the UN Security Council has responded with resounding silence.
It is high time for a peaceful two-state solution.
Nomaan Mubashir, Cambridge, Ont.
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