Israel’s Gaza war has only been self-defeating
Merion Station, Pa.: Israel conducted a daring rescue of four hostages who had been held for eight months in abominable conditions. Despite this military triumph, Israel is losing this war. Hamas, with more than 36,000 deaths and 80,000 injuries to fighters and civilians, and with many neighborhoods reduced to rubble and a population seemingly on the brink of starvation and disease, is winning its war against one of the 21st century’s mightiest military powers.
Pre-Oct. 7, Israel wasn’t in serious talks with Gaza or the Palestinian Authority. Most Americans and our political leaders were supportive of Israel without qualification. Pre-Oct. 7, most European countries were either neutral or supportive of Israel. There wasn’t a widespread anti-Israel occupation movement on college campuses, in American cities or around the world. Pre-Oct. 7, Israel, Hamas and the Palestinian Authority were afterthoughts in the 2024 presidential and congressional races. Pre-Oct. 7, there were very cordial relations between the United States and Israel. Pre-Oct. 7, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s greatest concern was keeping his Israeli enemies in check so as not to lose power and face multiple corruption charges. Oct. 7 changed everything.
It saddens me that 76 years of Israeli independence will be brought to the bargaining table by a regime that thinks nothing of sacrificing tens of thousands of its own non-belligerent civilians to achieve its goals. I don’t know what the future will bring or how Israel will once again be at peace, but the Oct. 6 détente is gone forever. Paul L. Newman
Orthodox anti-Zionism
Brooklyn: On Saturday, while sipping a beer at a sidewalk bar on Flatbush Ave. in Brooklyn, I was happy to see five ultra-Orthodox men walk by on their way to the pro-Palestinian demonstration in Grand Army Plaza. They had anti-Israel and anti-Zionist signs taped to their black suits. Their signage also indicated that Israel should get out of Gaza. Naturally, I was pleasantly surprised to see that there are some people who still follow the Sixth and Eighth Commandments. Apparently, morality has meaning. What a concept! Good for them. Of course, I voiced my moral support as they walked by, and they happily acknowledged me. Wow! There might be hope in this world. Nick Smith
Something to celebrate
Bellerose: The Juneteenth National Independence Day Act was signed into law by President Biden, making it the 12th federal holiday. Bravo, and about time! Slavery was a sad period in American history. Our Declaration of Independence said, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” So what happened? Did the words not mean all men and women? My grandfather, James Bedell, fought in the Civil War in the Union Army under Gen. William Tecumseh Sherman and, according to my father, strongly believed that we are all created equal by our creator. As such, I thank Biden and Congress for the establishment of this holiday. As a white man, let me say to all my brothers and sisters of color: May you be blessed, safe and free from harm. Frederick R. Bedell Jr.
Symbols of freedom
Cibolo, Texas: Flag Day and Juneteenth are stitched together by the common themes of freedom and self-determination. Flag Day, June 14, is a time to honor the national banner of our country. Juneteenth commemorates the end of slavery in the United States. On June 19, 1865, Maj. Gen. Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas, and announced that enslaved people were officially free. Juneteenth symbolizes freedom from oppression and equality for all. It emphasizes the ongoing struggle for humanity, dignity and equal rights. Juneteenth reminds all of us that true freedom is not achieved until everyone is free. Juneteenth and Flag Day celebrate freedom and the importance of self-determination. The common message woven into the fabric of these two holidays is the pursuit of justice, equality and the recognition of our shared humanity. John Di Genio
Home colors
Manhattan: It’s pathetic that members of the City Council can’t get the colors of the Juneteenth flag (red, white and blue). Nor does it seem they know what the holiday is about. We are not Africans, we are American citizens. It speaks volumes when City Council members aren’t educated about the history and holidays that are important not only to American Descendants of Slavery, but to our country. Shame on Council Speaker Adrienne Adams to allow made-up pan-African colors to symbolize our heritage, lineage and Juneteenth. Heyward Johnson
Did what exactly?
Somerset, N.J.: Donald Trump likes to say he has done more for “the Blacks” than any other president since Abraham Lincoln. Harry Truman desegregated the military. Many Black people made great advancements from that action, eventually leading to becoming members of the joint chiefs of staff. Lyndon Johnson passed the Civil Rights act that gave Blacks voting rights that they lacked before. What exactly did Trump accomplish to surpass the efforts of Truman and Johnson? Arthur Bressler
Convictions all around
Henderson, Nev.: After former President Trump’s Manhattan court case, President Biden seemed to take particular delight in calling Trump a “convicted felon.” Now Trump can return the favor and label Hunter Biden — the president’s only living son — a convicted felon. Only in America! David Tulanian
Climate measures
Flushing: There’s a prediction of high heat and humidity for the next bunch of days in NYC. But don’t worry, when Trump comes into office, he’ll fix that problem on the first day. He’ll shoot the weatherman. There’s flooding in Miami? Not to worry, he’ll build a new botel in the water, like the Dutch have in Amsterdam by the Zuider Zee. It will have a big sign on top, and it will spell out “TRUMP” in large letters. Underneath, there will be a smaller sign: “Please remove your flip-flops before entering.” Saul Grossman
News Corp rag
Freeport, L.I.: To Voicer Denise Fortino: You’re looking for objectivity in The Wall Street Journal? Hah! Since being acquired by Rupert Murdoch, the “Urinal” is no more than the New York Post in pinstripes. Bob Sterner
Unappetizing ads
Huntington Station, L.I.: Is anyone else getting literally sick of all the commercials selling various products to help us overcome what seems to be an epidemic of odors emitting from our bodies? The graphic descriptions of the locations of these many scents are not really fit for primetime television — especially at dinnertime! I don’t know when bathroom habits and personal hygiene became something for open conversation anywhere. Is nothing sacred or private anymore? Nancy Macri Kennedy
Early work
Manhattan: I write in regards to Sunday’s comics section — in particular, the “Biographic” section where you do sketches of famous people. This week, you covered the young actor Austin Butler. You mention many early things he did but I was surprised that you omitted one: Have you heard the expression, “Children should be seen and not heard?” Well, Butler appeared in almost every episode of the Nickelodeon children’s sitcom “Ned’s Declassified School Survival Guide,” which aired from September 2004 to June 2007. You left this show out. Yet, he was always in the background; he never spoke. So, he was literally seen and not heard! I notice you mentioned a talent scout and agency specializing in extra/background work that discovered Butler. Charles Adrian O’Connor
Misprioritized
Yonkers: The heartbreaking story of longtime Harlem resident Millicent Redick (“Desperation led to elex fund rap,” June 16) is another example of how Mayor Adams has abandoned New Yorkers and turned his attention to the plight of migrants. Soon after he took office, Adams proudly announced that NYC was a sanctuary city and invited all migrants. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott took advantage of Adams and sent a multitude of migrants to NYC. All of the money Adams has wasted to shelter and feed migrants could have been used to address the problems at the decaying Mitchell-Lama co-ops. When the next election for mayor comes around, voters need to remember that Adams’s incompetence and indifference has made all of New York a horrible place to live. Nicholas Maffei