Sept. 18, 2025 6 AM PT
To the editor: In December 1968, whereas strolling by way of the Outdated Metropolis of Jerusalem, I noticed a Jerusalem Publish headline that has stayed with me ever since: “The Persecuted Have Develop into the Persecutors,” written by a rabbi. I used to be an adolescent then, and that stark reality pierced me.
I’m Palestinian, born in Lebanon after my dad and mom fled their homeland. My aunts, uncles and grandparents scattered throughout Jordan and Egypt, displaced by conflict and worry. That headline echoed the ache of my household’s story — and right this moment, it echoes once more.
Studying the Los Angeles Occasions’ latest article about consultants accusing Israel of genocide (“U.N. commission of inquiry accuses Israel of genocide in Gaza,” Sept. 16), I used to be struck by how historical past continues to repeat itself. The struggling of 1 folks ought to by no means justify the struggling of one other. The ethical weight of reminiscence calls for accountability, not silence.
Vivien Irving, Huntington Seashore
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To the editor: In keeping with Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary eleventh Version, genocide is “the deliberate and systemic destruction of a racial, political or cultural group.” Faith shouldn’t be included on this definition, however maybe needs to be.
Hamas is a political and army group that was founded on the aim of the destruction of Israel. These are genocidal intentions and Hamas has been at it for years, with the newest motion being the shock killings of 1,195 people and the seize of 251 hostages on Oct. 7, 2023.
I feel Israel has lastly had sufficient and is decided to outlive and eradicate Hamas, which is political genocide. The associated fee is the destruction of Gaza Metropolis, a serious base of operations for Hamas. Israel has warned the Palestinians to evacuate. That’s greater than Hamas did on Oct. 7.
It’s genocide throughout, and I would really like information shops and organizations to not solely use that time period for Israel. I’ve no canine on this combat. I’m neither Jewish nor Palestinian, I’ve no kinfolk within the Center East, I’ve no kids or associates completely on one facet or the opposite. Each the Jewish and Arab non-war cultures add richness to my life. I simply need each Hamas’ and Israel’s actions to be labeled accurately and pretty. And, for goodness sake, I want these “peace” negotiators would get the job executed.
Deborah Regan, Palos Verdes Peninsula
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To the editor: As an American Jew born in 1949, within the shadow of the Holocaust, I used to be raised amid cries of “by no means once more.” Watching and studying about Israel’s offensive within the Center East, I’m astonished and abashed (“Israel begins ground offensive in Gaza City with thousands of troops,” Sept. 16).
How did we go from “by no means once more” to “by no means thoughts”?
Edward M. Bialack, Woodland Hills
