Thanks to Wednesday Journal and contributing reporter Stephen Sonneveld for last week’s story on weekly walks to support hostages in Gaza [Oak Park residents vow to walk until Israeli hostages are released, News, Feb. 28].
I would like to clarify one point, however. The article states that Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu rejected further negotiations after captives and Palestinian prisoners were released last November. This is untrue. He did indeed say that only complete military victory would result in the release of all hostages, as quoted. But context matters here. He said that after the Israeli military rescued two hostages on Feb. 12. (https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2024/02/12/israel-hostage-rescue-rafah)
There have been negotiations before and after his statement. For example, a Feb. 26 USA Today headline reported: “Signs of hope as Israel, Hamas hold ‘proximity talks’ in Qatar: Updates” (https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/israel-hamas/2024/02/26/israel-hamas-war-gaza-live-updates/72742803007).
I also take issue with the letter in last week’s WJ, which disagreed that denying Israel’s right to exist as a Jewish state is antisemitic [Your definition of antisemitism isn’t absolute]. They’re certainly right to say that Jews don’t speak with one voice about this. (Remember the old joke “Two Jews, three opinions”?) But they’re mistaken if they are disputing Israel’s right to exist as a Jewish state. Jews are collectively a nationality/people, as well as individuals who practice Judaism. The right to national self-determination is protected in the UN Charter and international law. (https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/self_determination_(international_law)
Both Jews and Palestinians have this right, along with all the other peoples/nationalities in our world. To support this right for every other nationality except Jews would be an antisemitic double standard.
Judith Alexander
Oak Park
