To the editor: In his op-ed article, “When will Israel be held accountable for the unjust war it is waging in Gaza?” Daoud Kuttab seems oblivious to the plain actuality that Israel has each proper to defend itself in opposition to terrorists and an oppressive regime that seeks its full annihilation.
On this context, Israel should make use of no matter means essential to neutralize fast threats and be certain that Iran and its proxies can not inflict hurt on harmless civilians.
Placing Hamas’ bloodbath on Oct. 7, 2023, within the context of Israel’s occupation is deeply troubling. Moreover, his omission of any point out of the remaining 101 hostages held by Hamas in Gaza is egregious. This evident oversight disregards the basic precept that hostage-taking violates worldwide regulation.
I might remind Kuttab that overtures made to the Palestinians aimed toward establishing their very own state — together with important territorial concessions and the acceptance of East Jerusalem as its capital — have been rejected.
Kuttab concludes, “The battle should finish, and so should the occupation, in order that Palestinians and Israelis can in the future reside in peace, every in their very own acknowledged nation.” I agree, however with a important caveat: The battle should finish solely when Hamas, Hezbollah, the Houthis, the militias in Syria and Iraq and their backer Iran stop their rocket and missile assaults, acknowledge Israel’s proper to exist and surrender violence.
As soon as that occurs, and when Palestinians are ready to barter in good religion, we could have a real alternative for peace. I sincerely hope I reside to see that day.
Rabbi Reuven H. Taff, Sacramento
