To the Edtor:

Our letter in the June/July 2025 issue of this magazine, “How to Ardently Resist U.S. support for Israel’s Crimes” suggests some ways to keep one’s taxes from being used for military aid to Israel. One way was not pay that portion of one’s federal income taxes that is used for that purpose. Since then, we have learned that after due process the IRS can just take such underpayments, plus penalties and interest, from one’s bank account without one’s permission. So we no longer recommend this method.

A better, totally legal method is to minimize one’s taxable income, thus reducing the tax due and the funds available for military aid to Israel. One way to reduce taxable income is to increase charitable contributions so that itemized deductions exceed the standard deduction as much as possible. (We estimate that doing this will reduce our 2025 federal tax liability 54% and our New York State tax liability 100%.) By contributing to tax-exempt Palestinian charities like UNRWA USA one can kill two birds with one stone: less money available for killing Palestinians and rendering them homeless, and more to help them by offsetting cuts in U.S. aid. Putting our money where our mouths are, we are greatly increasing our 2025 contributions to the AET Library Endowment associated with this fine magazine, to UNRWA USA, and to several other 501(C)(3) charities. To help the Palestinians and significantly impact U.S. polices, many people need to join this effort, give generously, and spread the word. So please give as much as you can to your favorite 501(C)(3) charities, especially those dedicated to the welfare of the horrifically downtrodden Palestinians. And remember to divest from U.S. Treasury securities. Time is running out fast for the Palestinians. History and providence will smile upon those who gave all they could to save them.

Gregory and Nancy De Sylva 

Representative Ryan:

I was horrified to see that you voted with Republicans to express gratitude to ICE and to urge stronger cooperation between ICE and local government.
 
You live in a community that includes many immigrant families--our neighbors, friends, co-workers, employees--who are now in danger of summary detention and deportation. Parents live in constant fear of ICE appearing at their homes, their workplaces, on the street. Children have nightmares about their parents being taken away.
 
The only thing mitigating the anxiety that these families endure is the knowledge that Ulster County is generally welcoming to immigrants, regardless of status--a position that you once endorsed as county executive. Police will not do ICE’s dirty work. School districts are staunch in their protection of their students.
 
Perhaps it was the “antisemitism” aspect of this House resolution that particularly appealed to you—you’d like to see ICE abduct and deport more protesters under the totally specious argument that protesting genocide is antisemitic. What would you say to the courageous Israelis who are now standing up and declaring horror over the atrocities committed by the IDF, with the full material support of the US?
 
At this point in history, the old labels—antisemitism, anti-Zionist, pro-Israel, anti-Israel, etc –are irrelevant. You are either pro-genocide or anti-genocide.
 
It is unbearable to know that I am represented in Congress by someone who supports both genocide and the brutality of ICE.

Jo Salas