Re: “Israeli rape victims ‘silenced twice'” [Dec. 7, Opinion]:
Columnist Bret Stephens’ declare that international organizations decrease gender-based atrocities towards Israeli ladies is deeply disturbing. Girls and youngsters have suffered most of all within the present Israel-Hamas conflict. Persecution based mostly on gender, race and faith is a scourge on humanity – and so is colonization. Over the previous few centuries, white settlers within the Americas dedicated unspeakable atrocities towards the indigenous inhabitants, leading to nearly full genocide of Native Individuals. Numerous populations – together with Jews – have misplaced their homelands, been enslaved and subjected to unspeakable horrors.
There can by no means be an ethical justification for murdering harmless civilians, whatever the provocation. Because the thinker and pacifist Bertrand Russell famously mentioned, conflict doesn’t determine who is true – solely who’s left. Israeli occupation of Palestinian territory doesn’t justify the atrocities dedicated by Hamas. Nor do the actions of a terrorist group justify the demise and harm of tens of 1000’s of harmless Palestinians (principally ladies and youngsters).
Israel’s said intention to occupy Gaza as soon as it’s fully decimated begins to look alarmingly like genocide. And the US authorities, with its personal darkish historical past, seems to be in full assist.
Sorrel North, Lopez Island