Stand up against antisemitism

Online antisemitic threats unnerve Jewish students | Oct. 31

I remain extremely worried about the sharp rise of raw antisemitic incidents, especially on university campuses like Columbia, Cornell and Tulane. Since Hamas, a terrorist organization whose mission is to eliminate all Jews, barbarically attacked Israel, antisemitism has increased significantly at home and abroad. The Anti-Defamation League reports a 388% increase in antisemitic incidents in the U.S. following Hamas’ massacre of innocent Israelis. From Oct. 7-23 in 2022, there were 64 antisemitic incidents. In 2023 during that same time frame, there were 312 such incidents.

It is time for all Americans to stand up and speak out loudly against this hate — and recognize that one can simultaneously fight Hamas and support Palestinians. University students and faculty should demand their administration take action immediately to condemn antisemitic hate. As history reminds us, terrorism is evil and silence as a response is the enemy. These antisemitic attacks must be stopped before it is too late to do so.

Richard Cherwitz, Austin, Texas

Eye for an eye ...

Gaza deaths reach 8,000 | Oct. 30

I can’t recall a time when “an eye for an eye” was effective policy. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s calculus of revenge, his own version of shock and awe, goes far beyond this to nearly six Palestinian eyes for one Israeli so far, and he’s just getting started. More than 8,000 Palestinians are already dead. Does Netanyahu believe that if Israel just kills enough Palestinians they will surrender?

Finn Kavanagh, Tampa

Only 1 in 5

Here’s why MAGA scares me so much | Column, Oct. 28

I totally agree with this opinion piece by Robert Bruce Adolf. The potential dangers to our American way of life, and democracy as a whole, are aptly described in each of the five areas where the MAGA movement has turned our society upside down. About 70 million people voted for Donald Trump in the last presidential election, and they make up only about 20% of the total U.S. population, so we have time to turn this thing around if people would just wake up.

David Burg, Tampa

No place for a teen

14-year-old killed in Ybor City shooting was ‘just a joyful kid,’ family says | Oct. 31

Tampa police Chief Lee Bercaw said, “Clearly, there is no place a 14-year-old should be at 3 o’clock in the morning.” So, the question: Why is a 14-year-old out partying at 3 a.m.?

Harriet E. Browder, Clearwater