Risking death to report what the world ignores
Los Altos, Calif.: Kavitha Chekuru, a journalist and documentary producer, brings to light in a New York Times op-ed the recent alarming threats faced by Palestinian journalists amid Israel’s military actions in Gaza. Journalist Hossam Shabat, reporting from northern Gaza, described his harrowing life on the frontlines, where just days prior, he and five other Al Jazeera journalists were baselessly accused by Israeli forces of being affiliated with militant groups. These claims, which Al Jazeera has denounced, place these journalists in grave danger, even as they provide essential coverage of alleged crimes against humanity in Gaza, as described by the UN.
According to the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), this year has seen a record 129 Palestinian journalists killed in Gaza, like Sari Mansour (photo), a toll that Gaza’s media office estimates at 190. Five were directly targeted, with Israel accused of ongoing attacks on press freedom. The U.S. has remained largely silent, neglecting tools like the Leahy Law that could help investigate these deaths. This silence emboldens Israeli impunity and compromises the global community’s ability to understand the reality in Gaza.
The attack on journalists recalls the case of Shireen Abu Akleh, a U.S. citizen and journalist killed in 2022, where accountability remains elusive despite widespread calls for justice. Now, Gaza’s remaining journalists carry the weight of documenting the war, risking their lives each day. Al Jazeera cameraman Fadi al-Wahidi, recently shot by Israeli forces, lies paralyzed and in a coma, denied medical evacuation from Gaza’s crumbling health care system. His colleague Shabat pleads: “All we need is for you not to leave us alone, screaming… with no one to hear us.” Jagjit Singh
Humane warfare
Atlanta: To Voicer Ken Derow: The atrocities committed on Oct. 7, 2023, and the fact that Gazans cheered Hamas’ promise to inflict 1,000 such days on Israelis have convinced Israel’s leaders that it must win a decisive victory over Hamas, to be followed by the demilitarization of Gaza and the de-radicalization of the Palestinians. Yet, the IDF has worked very hard to avoid killing civilians in Gaza and has been commended by Major John Spencer, head of Urban Warfare Studies at West Point’s Modern Warfare Institute, for achieving the lowest ratio of civilian-to-combatant deaths ever seen for fighting in a densely populated area like Gaza. While ratios as high as 9:1 have been recorded, the ratio in Gaza is closer to 5:1. This is especially remarkable because Hamas’ extensive network of terror tunnels among the Gaza populace has essentially wiped out any distinction between civilian areas and combat zones. Toby F. Block
Victims no more
Margate, Fla.: For more than a century, the pogroms of anti-Zionism have demonstrated the precarious existence of the Jewish people. (“Israel’s soccer fans attacked in Amsterdam, five hospitalized,” Nov. 9). From Kishinev (1903) to Hebron (1929) to Kristallnacht (1938) to Amsterdam (2024), it is obvious that strong Jewish self-defense is a necessity to confront the maniacal violence of the anti-Zionists. Richard Sherman
Elex tricks
Staten Island: There is no way that Donald Trump won this election legitimately. It seems statistically impossible that Kamala Harris did not win one battleground state — states that had many Dems winning down ballot. Purging rolls of eligible voters, closing polls, not extending time in disaster areas, bomb threats at the polls and bombings of ballot boxes. MAGA threats and attacks on poll workers. Definite Republican voter suppression occurred. Elon Musk/Starlink/Putin — connect the dots. Wake up, America. Michael Rosenkrantz
Forfeited
Providence, R.I.: Re “NYC Democrats had no reason to show up to vote,” (op-ed, Nov. 10): The Donald makes you writhe with pain? / You didn’t vote? Then don’t complain. Felicia Nimue Ackerman
Strong picks
Clearwater, Fla.: Re “Immigration hard-liner set to win key White House position” (Nov. 11): Not only is Stephen Miller the best, but he will bring strength, power, experience and a vast amount of knowledge to the Trump team. As we can see, Trump’s team and cabinet will undoubtedly be as good as it gets. JoAnn Lee Frank
Work for the best
Warwick, R.I.: It’s been a week since the election and with a new administration, now is the time for them to work to ensure that all Americans may benefit from the transition. The weeks ahead will be filled with announcements of candidates for cabinet positions and other essential administration jobs that will keep our country running smoothly. It will not be an easy task as already, opposition is gathering support for defiance of any action they deem unacceptable or unenforceable. Our country has always had division between opposite factions, but this year it appears to be stronger and could possibly cause civil unrest. The need is to temper the rhetoric on both sides and wait until the new Congress and executive branch offer their programs for reducing inflation, immigration and public safety. Compromise should be employed so that both parties can accept some common solutions. Bob Sweeney
One more shot
Bronx: The president of the United States from 2017-2021 has a laundry list of ignorance as well as trying to rewrite all the errors made. Not acknowledging his shortcomings is something to observe. We will be ready to cheer a job well done, but we will call it as we see it. In baseball, we say, “Strike one is never an out and doesn’t end an at-bat.” In this game, strike two does. Mark Benveniste
Fatigued faith
Spring Lake, N.J.: Greg Marotta hit the nail right on the head (“Lucky Donald wins it all again,” op-ed, Nov. 8). I too am disappointed and disgusted that supposedly religious and patriotic American voters once again elected such an ignorant and deranged individual. I’m 75 and have seen some bad politicians, but none that compare to this con man. I’m also done. The American flag that I’ve flown daily for the last four years has come down and my hope for a better America has evaporated. Alfred De Santis
Borders or bust
Medford, L.I.: Trump needs to build a northern wall — and have tariffs pay for it! He is proposing a slew of tax cuts in his first 100 days in office, and to pay for it, is envisioning a proposed 20% universal tariff on foreign-produced goods, with an added tariff of up to 60% for goods produced in China. I call that a good start to funding and completing the southern wall before the mass deportation commences. But I propose Trump goes one step further by increasing these tariffs — particularly from China — to pay for the construction of a wall on the northern border, which is becoming an increasing national migraine. By the end of Trump’s term in January 2029, he should employ what Elon Musk would call a “maniacal sense of urgency” to seal the country’s borders once and for all from illegal immigration and the scourge of drugs. Eugene R. Dunn
Impending price
Manhattan: Look for Project 2025 to be implemented very soon thanks to many Democrats and Independents who couldn’t stand the idea of having a president who made mistakes in one debate (something Trump does all the time) and having a woman as president. Edward Drossman
Unsupported
Boynton Beach, Fla.: Voicer Tom Saracco, like Trump and other right-wing pundits, accuses President Biden of lying to the public when he ran in 2020. In typical MAGA faithful fashion, Saracco hits us with rhetoric only, conveniently omitting reference to any facts to support what he is saying. Wouldn’t it be shocking if a MAGA supporter, or even Trump himself, presented some facts once in a while to support what they are saying instead of always taking us on a fact-free one-way trip to rhetorical La La Land? William T. Bredin
Give ’em up
Port Jefferson Station, L.I.: Woody Johnson, if you care about the fans of the N.Y. Jests (sic), you will sell the team ASAP before your buddy DJT sends you off to another ambassadorship, hopefully to one of the “-stans,” where you will thrive. Your ownership of this team has been an unmitigated disaster. Please, sell. Bob Cavaliere