BRATTLEBORO-Several recent commentaries in The Commons about the situation in Gaza are deeply problematic. And while many people have responded to these opinions to help set the record straight, there are still not enough voices decrying Israel's actions in the Gaza Strip.
It is deeply offensive to present Jewish opinion about the events in Gaza as monolithic. Any claim that suggests all Jewish people - in Israel or in the U.S. - share the same point of view about the actions of the Israeli government is patently wrong.
In fact, there are countless Jewish individuals Jewish-led groups who oppose the ongoing genocide in Gaza. Jewish Voice for Peace is one local example among many across the world.
The mainstream press calling what's happening in Gaza a "war" is propagandistic to its core. What is taking place in Gaza could be appropriately called genocide, ethnic cleansing, or collective punishment, it is not a war.
The Israeli government's actions in Gaza violate a multitude of long-established international laws, perhaps the most powerful of which is the violation of the duty of care. Under both the Geneva and Hague Conventions, the Israeli government, as an occupying force, is bound to care for the citizens under its control.
The killing of tens of thousands of civilians, the destruction of critical infrastructure, and the forced migration and growing famine of millions are in direct violation of the Israeli government's obligations under international law.
The idea that opposing this ongoing genocide puts people on the wrong side of history is outrageous and is gradually falling apart as governments and institutions across the globe voice their opposition to the slaughter.
Of course, the U.S. government is again on the wrong side of history. Air-dropping a pittance of food to the starving masses in Gaza while approving ever more shipments of deadly weapons to Israel is beyond hypocritical.
Opposing genocide is not anti-Semitic; it is standing for humanity against injustice.
Henry Zacchini
Brattleboro
This letter to the editor was submitted to The Commons.
This piece, published in print in the Voices section or as a column in the news sections, represents the opinion of the writer. In the newspaper and on this website, we strive to ensure that opinions are based on fair expression of established fact. In the spirit of transparency and accountability, The Commons is reviewing and developing more precise policies about editing of opinions and our role and our responsibility and standards in fact-checking our own work and the contributions to the newspaper. In the meantime, we heartily encourage civil and productive responses at [email protected].