War’s end doesn’t mean peace for Palestinians
Los Altos, Calif.: The recent roundtable discussion on the Gaza ceasefire featuring former Israeli peace negotiator Daniel Levy, Gazan analyst Muhammad Shehada and journalist Jeremy Scahill provides critical insights into the complex dynamics surrounding the deal. Despite the Biden administration’s rhetoric, it is clear that the ceasefire was significantly influenced by Trump’s team, particularly envoy Steve Witkoff. The conversation exposed the ongoing failure of President Biden’s White House to leverage American influence to end the violence, with Scahill remarking that “Joe Biden could have ended this long ago” yet chose not to, exposing the moral failings within his administration.
Benjamin Netanyahu’s political maneuvering further complicates the situation. Levy highlighted the Israeli prime minister’s reluctance to accept the deal due to its potential impact on his domestic political power. With Netanyahu facing pressure from his far-right coalition members, including Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben-Gvir, the deal remains fragile, and Netanyahu’s commitment to its implementation is uncertain.
The roundtable also revealed that the ceasefire deal — largely shaped by Netanyahu’s conditions — may not bring long-term relief to Palestinians. Shehada warned that even if the ceasefire holds, Palestinians face the looming threat of continued subjugation from the IDF. Netanyahu’s attempts to renegotiate key terms suggest a strategic desire to maintain military control over Gaza.
Ultimately, while the ceasefire provides a temporary pause, the future of Gaza and the broader Palestinian cause remains uncertain. The U.S. has played a central role in these developments, but it remains to be seen whether this will lead to genuine peace or merely a temporary cessation of violence. Jagjit Singh
Ready for what’s next
Clearwater, Fla.: Let us rejoice and celebrate the end of Biden’s failed presidency. It’s been a long four years, but tomorrow our nation will commence with a new administration when Donald J. Trump is sworn in as our 47th president. America is on its way to being greater, safer, stronger, prosperous and proud again. God bless America and God bless Trump. JoAnn Lee Frank
Petty prez
Cincinnati: Re “Joe Biden’s winning scorecard” (editorial, Jan. 17): Hey, hold on there one darn second. While Biden’s age-related infirmities are not his fault, his performance inadequacies are. He has never been a conceptual thinker, preferring to follow others far more able. He lucked out in 2020 after the Trump administration could not get a calm handle on the COVID pandemic. Biden’s four years as a progressive windbag have eventuated a second and hopefully wiser Trump government. But his hatred of Republicans is so ingrained that his final days are filled with IEDs for the new administration, showing how small-minded, petty and cruel this Democrat is. Your lionization pains me to the quick, and I am not a fan of Trump — never voted for him and consider him only marginally better than the Biden-Harris fiasco. Paul Bloustein
Can’t shut me up
Bronx: Lucifer will be back in the White House. This piece of white trash messed up our country four years ago and he wants to do it again. I know what the real Trump is like and that’s why I don’t have any respect for him, and I never will. He is the worst president we ever had. A lot of people died on his watch because of COVID-19. Trump was told about the virus and said nothing to us. I came down with it and I didn’t think I would make it, but I thank God I did. This racist pig will never keep me from speaking up. He’ll never take my freedom away. I tell it like it is. Doris Festante
Infiltration anxiety
Brooklyn: I can’t thank God enough that Trump won the election. However, I am deeply concerned that terrorists have entered our country. They have said that the next terrorist attack will make 9/11 look like a picnic. Please, God, inspire us all to pick our rosaries and storm Heaven with our prayers. The Holy Rosary has spared many from destruction. If we can use our cell phones all day long, I am sure we can make time for God. Wanda Lucci
Appeasement vs. peace
Little Ferry, N.J.: Is Trump going to be the next Neville Chamberlain? Trying to play peacemaker, Chamberlain became one of the greatest fools of all time. His actions, or lack of them, led us into World War II! He sought peace with a monster (Hitler), but the monster would have none of it. Foolishly, Chamberlain gave Hitler the Sudetenland, a German-speaking part of Czechoslovakia that is mountainous, making invasion hard. In return, Hitler promised to end German expansion. The Munich Agreement was signed on Sept. 30, 1938. However, by March of 1939, Hitler broke the deal and took over the rest of Czechoslovakia. Today, it looks like Trump will make a form of the Munich Agreement and force it on Ukraine. But will it lead to peace? I think not! At best, peace will last three to five years and then the Russian will wipe Ukraine from the face of the Earth! Gary Schwartz
In his service
Piermont, N.Y.: Isn’t it interesting how quickly the U.S. Supreme Court decided to hear arguments about the TikTok ban, heard the arguments in short order and rendered its decision so quickly? Compare this to the justices agreeing to hear Trump’s appeal regarding his election interference indictment, how many months it took for the court to schedule hearing arguments in the case, and then waiting until the very last day of their term to issue their decision, thereby guaranteeing that Special Counsel Jack Smith would have no time to get the case into court before the national elections. Does anybody really believe that the Supreme Court hasn’t become just another political body? Bruce Hanson
Coddled by cowards
Bronx: Did anyone else find the display of butt-kissing of the incompetent, unqualified, alcoholic Pete Hegseth by Republican lawmakers pathetic? Cowardly senators who privately know he’s grossly unqualified will confirm his appointment rather than stand up for what is in the best interest of our country. And would someone please tell me what the number of pushups a person can do has to do with being secretary of defense for the most powerful nation on Earth? Randall Borra
Won’t be good
Peters Township, Pa.: Trump has given us a preview of what his second term as president will be like. It is grim. He has changed his tune on inflation, admitting that bringing down grocery prices will be difficult. The $2 trillion reduction in annual federal spending his billionaire efficiency experts initially pledged is being scaled back, the duo now hoping for $1 trillion. It will be astonishing if they succeed in securing even half of the revised figure, particularly given that they have no authority to enact anything. The power of the purse is vested with Congress. Trump has nominated unqualified joke candidates for critical positions in the government. Sidekick and de facto vice president Elon Musk says he will use his vast wealth to fund primary election challenges against Republicans who do not go along with the nominations. One can not say that we do not live in interesting times. Oren Spiegler
Baited, then switched
Brooklyn: President Biden pardoned his son Hunter after vowing numerous times not to do it. The reason he gave for going back on his solemn word was that the Justice Department he controlled for four years was corrupt. He and Trump finally agree on something. Gov. Hochul paused the idiotic congestion tax in June. Five days after the election, she went back on her word and reinstated it. One is left to wonder which party is the “existential threat to democracy.” Frank Congiusta
Pause on pursuits
Holliswood: Re “The chase is off for the NYPD — at least for cars fleeing traffic stops” (Jan. 16): So, the mere following of a vehicle for a traffic infraction is now banned? Man oh man, I can’t wait for summer, when all the quads and motorbikes take over Times Square and the police do nothing because they are barred. This city is going downhill in a hurry. Gregory W. Chupa