Taken and tortured for their Hippocratic Oath
Los Altos, Calif.: The recent testimony of Dr. Khaled Alser, a renowned Palestinian surgeon at Nasser Hospital in Gaza, sheds light on the brutal conditions faced by Palestinian medical workers in Israeli detention. Abducted by Israeli forces during a raid on Gaza in March 2024, Alser was subjected to seven months of abuse, including physical beatings, sexual humiliation and denial of medical care. No charges were filed against him. He and many other health care workers were targeted solely due to their profession and their efforts to provide care amidst the devastation of the ongoing conflict.
This disturbing pattern is documented in the Physicians for Human Rights-Israel report titled “Unlawfully Detained, Tortured, and Starved: The Plight of Gaza’s Medical Workers in Israeli Custody.” The report highlights the systematic abuse faced by Palestinian doctors and medical staff, many of whom are detained without charges. Alser’s testimony, along with those of other detainees, describes horrific conditions, including physical violence, sexual assault and forced starvation.
These stories call attention to the inhumane treatment of health care workers, who are critical in saving lives amid war. Alser and his colleagues continue to serve their communities despite the grave personal costs. He urges the international community to act, highlighting the dire need for the release of detained health care workers who remain in Israeli custody without due process.
The world must not ignore the plight of these individuals who, despite facing unimaginable hardships, remain committed to their oath to provide medical care to all, irrespective of political or military affiliation. Jagjit Singh
Skipping the line
Bronx: I’m sure that if you asked any driver, one of their biggest gripes would be rude drivers who cut the line while waiting to get off at an exit for a parkway, highway, etc. Can’t cameras be installed so when they illegally cross over the white line, they get fined? I’m sure the city and state would make a fortune. John Cirolia
Vacancies
Brooklyn: A few weeks ago, I wrote in suggesting that President Trump do a total rehab of public housing. I believe the city should take stewardship of “ghost” apartments and buildings, repair them and put them back on the market. Owners and the city can negotiate the cost of the repairs and rental prices. In this way, owners will win by having a rentable unit and the city wins with the addition of safe housing. Susan Caprio
Consider Corinne
Manhattan: Longtime New Yorker, comedian, podcaster and activist Corinne Fisher has put in her bid to become the mayor of New York City. With the craziness going on in the mayor’s office and the (very) recent announcement of Andrew Cuomo becoming a candidate, I think people need to know that there is another option! The Daily News has many readers in NYC and across the nation. I think constituents of NYC need to know about this grassroots campaign for mayor that could be groundbreaking. I think it would be a great opportunity for the Daily News to do a story/interview on/with Corinne to give her origins, pitch, platform, unique take and why she is taking this unprecedented move. She is eager to reach more New Yorkers (and Americans in general)! Cierra McNair
Soft power
Valhalla, N.Y.: President Trump, the United States is very proud of you for not only standing up to Volodymyr Zelenskyy but showing the world how powerful we still are and how we will stand up to anybody! Now that that’s done, let’s take a step backwards, have further conversations with Zelenskyy and show the world that despite how powerful we are, we also know how to show compassion. A deep breath by all sides will show how we can work together and reach agreements that benefit all involved. You’ve shown willingness to reconsider some decisions if they need adjustments — tariffs, layoffs, agency adjustments and listening to the American people and reacting to some of their wishes. This mineral agreement with Ukraine obviously benefits both countries and will lead to lasting peace with Russia and Putin. Russia won’t continue attacking if the U.S. is actually working in Ukraine! Michael Grisanti
Grudge history
Staten Island: Is the Daily News really planning to cover the story of the shameful, cowardly way that Trump/Vance treated Zelenskyy without mentioning the fact that Trump was impeached in his first term for withholding aid to Ukraine to pressure Zelenskyy into fabricating lies about Joe Biden to help Trump win in 2020? Victor R. Stanwick
Rolled over
Little Egg Harbor, N.J.: I can not contain myself any longer regarding the Trump/Vance disgraceful treatment of Zelenskyy. Even if you might be in love with Trump, you should be able to admit when he is wrong. Sounds like Trump throwing Ukraine under the bus is reminiscent of the world appeasing Hitler. Easy to end a war when you let the communistic aggressor take what he wants. Georgia Dolack
Tyranny’s return
Brooklyn: I grew up in Lexington, Mass., and remember vividly our April 19 Patriots’ Day celebrations. As a kid, my favorite was a trio of bloodstained and bandaged fife and drummers who set off the day. It brought tears to my eyes. It was the fervent love of country instilled at an early age living in that town, with its Minuteman statue of Capt. John Parker at one end of the town’s Battle Green and the First Parish Church that had witnessed the battle at the other. Now, 70-some years later, my eyes still well up when I think about what it means to be an American, and particularly when I see our president discard every decent bit of our collective memory in search of humiliating another patriot from across the seas. What can we do to stop this rapid slide into totalitarianism promulgated not by a King George III, but by our own elected leaders? Ed Temple
Show their colors
Greenburgh, N.Y.: The governors of New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut and other states around the nation should direct that the Ukrainian flag be flied alongside the United States and state flags in solidarity with the Ukrainian people. If enough states, counties and municipalities around the nation fly the Ukrainian flag during the month of March, we will send a powerful message to the world that many Americans continue to support the Ukrainian people, democracy and freedom. Paul Feiner
Defender’s dilemma
Swarthmore, Pa.: Pressures are mounting on Ukraine and its President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to bite the bullet. Soon he will have to bow to the painful inevitability that he will have to cede territory to Russia to stop the devastation being inflicted on his country and the suffering long endured by his people. It doesn’t feel right or fair, but who ever said life was fair? The U.S. president is openly hostile to Zelenskyy and his quest to maintain complete territorial integrity of his country. Now even his staunch European allies seem to be wearying of unqualified support. Zelenskyy, a comedian by trade, will go down in history for his heroic, brave and valiant efforts to protect his country’s sovereignty in the face of the overwhelming strength and brutality of his country’s invaders. A crisis did not make Zelenskyy who he is, it just revealed his steely character. Ken Derow
Time well spent
Yonkers: Dear President Elon Musk: Here are my five things I did this week: 1) Searched the cushions for spare change. 2) Saw my primary physician for sudden high blood pressure and migraines. 3) Rolled some pennies to help pay for eggs. 4) Clipped coupons for foods I dislike but that are on sale. 5) Saw a free horror show, live from the White House! Oh, I didn’t have to send you this list? Since I can no longer afford the internet, please save this for future reference. P.S.: Please leave your adorable son at home with his mother and siblings. The White House is not a good place for innocent children. Mary Reynolds
Better picture
Massapequa Park, L.I.: The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences should choose quality over political correctness when voting for the awards. In no way should “Anora” have won the Best Picture award when “Conclave” is a much better film all around. I saw all of the nominated movies. “Conclave” should have won. Thomas Facchiano