Letter to the Hudson Valley One

Never Again! Means Never Again for Anyone!

New Paltz Women in Black have stood in front of Elting Library every Saturday for almost 22 years. We stand for peace and justice, against wars and militarism, for Black lives, for women's rights and LGTBQ rights, and to save our ravished environment from further degradation.

And we have stood for Palestinian rights, because the Palestinian people have been pushed off their lands, subjected to checkpoints to prevent them from moving freely, had their homes demolished and their fields burned, and their children kidnapped in the middle of the night and thrown into Israeli prisons, where they languish without parents or lawyers, and where they can be held under military rule indefinitely without trial or charges. (These are many of the prisoners who were to be exchanged for Hamas's hostages, if those hostages are not killed first by Netanyahu's bombs or trigger-happy soldiers.)

In Gaza, an Israeli blockade since 2007 has prevented free movement to and from Gaza, including students unable to attend universities abroad, cancer patients unable to travel to get medical care in other parts of the region, families who can't see relatives in the West Bank or in Israel or in neighboring countries.  Gaza has been called the largest open-air prison in the world. Peaceful demonstrations are fired upon by Israeli sharpshooters, and there are no consequences to an Israeli soldier or settler for killing a Palestinian.

Fifty percent of Gaza's 2.2 million people are under 19, which means they've known nothing but blockade and privation for their entire lives.

Why do we care about this? There's plenty of injustice in the world. Why are we focusing on the plight of the Palestinians? Because this injustice is being paid for and approved by the United States Government, using our tax money to the tune of almost $4 Billion per year. U.S. law stipulates that we must not provide foreign aid to any country that is committing human rights abuses. Our money should not be going to Israel to prop up its unjust occupation, land theft, abuse, blockade, home demolitions, and military rule over Palestinians.

On October 7, the pressure cooker blew. Hamas fighters broke out of their prison and attacked nearby civilians and military personnel, killing many and taking hundreds hostage. New Paltz Women in Black agrees with most of the world that there is no justification for the indiscriminate killing of civilians or the holding of civilian hostages.

And now, horrifyingly, the Israeli and American governments are weaponizing the Israeli deaths to fuel a genocidal war against Palestinian civilians in Gaza. This war is a continuation of 75 years of Israeli occupation and ethnic cleansing, and is an attempt to eliminate Palestinians as a demographic factor in historic Palestine.

Since October 7, nearly 20,000 Palestinians in Gaza have been killed in a relentless bombing campaign. Over 80 journalists, plus poets, professors, actors, and intellectuals have died. The Israeli government and military have wrought complete and total devastation on Palestinian life across Gaza, attacking hospitals, schools, universities, libraries, cultural centers, mosques, marketplaces, and apartment buildings. They have shut off all electricity. No food is coming into Gaza, no drinkable water, no fuel for cooking or staying warm, no medicines for the sick, the elderly, the newborn. After more than two months, starvation and disease have begun to take a toll.  Netanyahu has said the Israeli response will "reverberate for generations," and cars carry bumper stickers reading "Finish them." Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said that Israel is "fighting human animals" and should "act accordingly."

We all know what happens when people are dehumanized as a group.

We can and must stop the imminent genocide of Palestinians. Never Again! means never again for anyone!

We demand our government immediately stop sending weapons to the Israeli military and using its veto in the Security Council to stop a resolution for an immediate ceasefire. We condemn the "new McCarthyism," right-wing attempts to shut down the conversation about Israeli atrocities, and deliberately conflating criticism of Israel with antisemitism.

Tell Pat Ryan to support the Congressional Ceasefire Resolution, which now has over 60 congressional signatures.

And stand with us next Saturday and every Saturday to demand an immediate permanent ceasefire.

Naomi Allen

Rep. Molinaro

Rep. Molinaro,

You wrote me that "The United States and Israel have agreed to develop a plan that will ensure humanitarian aid from donor nations and multilateral organizations reaches civilians in Gaza. "

Really?

Whats the plan for the 18,000 plus civilians that Israel , with your support, has murdered in Gaza? How can it be that reports indicate that many of the 1.8 million displaced Gazans (human beings) are going for days without food and/or water? Or that they have been herded by Israeli bombing into a small area where many are forced to live without shelter from the rain or cold weather ?

Are you aware that Israel set up and financed Hamas for years in order to divide Palestinians into factional infighting between Hamas and the Palestinian Authority so as to prevent a two state solution which was mandated by a U.N. vote?

Ceasefire Now! Stop the genocide!

-Jim Veeder

Responce to Kingston Wire

A Sad Sign of the Kingston Wire
(Response to Editorial: A Sad Sign of the Times)

I don't know how many worked on your recent editorial about the pro Palestinian rally in Kingston. Is is amazing that the authors were able to squeeze so much drama out of one child's drawing, and the words "From the River to the Sea.'

All this puffery about what that chant could possibly mean, while Israel slaughters 6,000 children in Gaza with all the high tech weapons they get from the US. But of course, these children are Palestine, and not worth much ink.

I think it is astounding how you can avoid talking about this genocide, while whining endlessly about what a phrase means. But, perhaps you are simply reflecting the state of Israel: racist, violent and apartheid.

I am deeply ashamed that my country gives Israel the weapons to commit this genocide. Is the Editorial Team ashamed at all?

Fred Nagel

Here's what I just sent to the BPL

We are writing to you as Jews, wanting to applaud you, the Bethlehem Public Library, for allowing Bethlehem Neighbors for Peace to use your facility to host Miko Peled, a Jewish, Israeli-American activist, to share his views about the ongoing situation in Palestine/Israel – its context and the need for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire and an end to apartheid and Islamophobia.  We now understand that you have received public criticism for doing so.

As American Jews, we have felt a deep and abiding responsibility to speak out against the injustices we witnessed in Israel; in fact, we’ve had to strengthen our resolve to not be silenced by those who wish to do so.  Why?  Because, over the years, a group to which we belong, Jews Say No (JSN), has stood on the corner of 96th St. and Broadway in NYC.  We have been yelled at, called antisemites and self-hating jews, and spat upon by other Jews, regarding the messages we shared on our posters and leaflets such as, “Never again, means never again for anyone,” “Not in our name,” “Jews Say No,” and “Freedom and justice for Palestinians.”  So, yes, we’re familiar with the tactics of those who attempt to silence the voices that support equal justice for all.

In addition, we became acquainted with Miko through our work with JSN.  Miko is a bright, principled, articulate, knowledgeable, and powerful speaker.  Calling Miko an antisemite because of his anti-Zionist values is both inaccurate and quite dangerous.

We hope you will recommit to your support of community groups such as Bethlehem Neighbors for Peace by allowing them to use your facilities to host Miko Peled.  Ultimately, this is about free speech – our First Amendment right.

Thank you.

Helaine Meisler and Nic Abramson

Dear Senator Gillibrand

I would have thought by now that you  would have realized that what you believe to be “widely understood to be a call for Israel’s destruction” is quite specific to your demographic, political leaning, and possibly in your case, who you are getting campaign money from. As a Jewish American person, I understand Tlaib’s comment in the context in which is was made and am not even remotely offended by it. I am grateful and proud of her for bringing the viewpoint of the Palestinians (those you may refer to as Arabs) to the table, where the complexities and injustices must be addressed and the role of the US government must be questioned. I am all for the right of my brethren to exist in Israel, I am not in support of any violence, whether it is by Hamas or the Israeli forces, and I see a genocide that your defense of the censure of Tlaib seems to support.

Here is an article from The NY Times, https://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/09/us/politics/river-to-the-sea-israel-gaza-palestinians.html, that would give credence to what I am talking about in regards to the censure. At this point I would hope that you could admit that censure was a mistake that resulted from your lack of understanding and that you would endeavor to seek insight so that you can support the right to live and thrive to all people worldwide, but specifically in Gaza at this moment.

"From the river to the sea” is a call for freedom and justice and peace when spoken by Rashida Tlaib. I would urge you to have a conversation with her, and tell her that one of your constituents asked you to do so. And be humble and apologize for your lack of understanding and then listen to her. It will make you a better congressperson.

I would appreciate a response to this message.

Sincerely,
Cary Kittner

Zionism is the moral rot that has crept into our ruling class

Zionism is the moral rot that has crept into our ruling class. Our Congress is almost unanimous in its approval for the obliteration of two million Palestinians in Gaza. And the House has just passed a resolution, not condemning the slaughter, but labeling any criticism of it as antisemitism. Our doddering president is ineffectual at best when it comes to most issues that affect the working class. But when it comes to this genocide, he is its biggest cheerleader, the ghost of Henry Kissinger.

The ruling class in our nation's colleges and universities are cast from the same mold. The presidents and boards of directors spend their time threatening and expelling students for protesting this genocide. How is it that college students know more about international law and human rights than their academic administrators? It is a world turned upside down, where college presidents spend their time pleasing wealth donors, while threatening anyone else in their academic communities if they think too much.

Perhaps were are in the last stage of the empire, when our elites think about nothing else but dollar signs. When it comes to life and death issues, they are moral monsters, eager to give Israel more explosives for the Palestinian holocaust.

It is tempting to think about how our system could be less corrupt. How it could serve the interests of the rest of us, if only it wanted to. But now, all it wants is Palestinian blood. We must take to the streets to preserve our humanity.   

Fred Nagel

Standing naked before the world

To the editor:
There is a Zionist/Israeli energy characterized by arrogance, aggression, and entitlement.  It is devoid of compassion, empathy, humility or humanity.  It is a force that seeks control, subservience,  and domination  through collective punishment, threats,  and unspeakable violence.  This energy is terrifying and yes, it creates terrorists.  Israeli state  terrorism is responsible for incinerating thousands of innocent Palestinian women, children, babies, and men. 

 

At  peaceful demonstrations supporting Palestinian human rights,  passing  Zionists  have screamed from their cars that our daughters should be raped, mutilated, and murdered because we were speaking up in support of innocent Palestinians.  Their words  drip with the venom of rage and revenge.  Are these  screaming people hopelessly lost in their fear and anger?  Perhaps, but thankfully there are also supporters of Israel who are open and willing to engage in peaceful and respectful dialogue.  And God bless them.  

 

Unfortunately, the propaganda arm of the Israeli government (the “hasbara”) is fully engaged in spreading outright lies and misinformation to persuade Americans, particularly Jewish Americans,  of the evils of Hamas and the virtues of the Israeli Defense Forces(IDF).  The Zionist/Israeli  lobbies  (including  AIPAC American Israeli Pubic Affairs Committee) have unlimited resources, unmatched political influence,  and complete media access to whitewash and “spin” Israeli atrocities and launder Israel’s image.  But the well oiled Israeli propaganda  machine  is failing because the true nature of the apartheid, settler/colonial enterprise which calls itself the State of Israel  is standing naked before the world.  

Eli Kassirer
New Paltz

Stand strong for free speech

I understand there is talk about cancelling Miko Peled's presentation scheduled for Tuesday night. This is because there are allegations that MIko or what he speaks and writes about is anti-Semetic. I am a Jewish veteran of the US Army. I experienced anti-Semitism in the army and when I was a child in Queens, NY. I know what anti-Semitism is.

I also know MIko Peled personally. I have travelled with him in Israel and Palestine. He is from a prominent Jewish Israeli family. The idea that he is anti-Semitic or professes anything anti-Semitic is nonsense and is used to silence criticism of Israel.

There are many Jewish people including myself who find much to criticise about Israel. Many of my close friends are IDF veterans, like Miko, and they find plenty to criticise about Israel. This attempt to have Miko's talk cancelled has nothing to do with anti-Semitism. It has to do with shutting down free speech and free speech that needs very much to be heard. Now more than ever.

I hope the Bethlehem Public Library will stand strong for free speech. Thank you.