Criticism of conflict only served to hurt neighbors here

The history and facts missing from Ms. Slow Loris's column ("America has a role in ending conflict's generational violence", March 5) are so vast and complex that addressing them here is impossible.Instead, we need to address the part that is dangerous for us right here in Kitsap:"Too many of the grandchildren of the Jews imprisoned or slaughtered in the Holocaust have turned victimhood into cruelty."This is the part that reveals a deep and horrifying truth about those who oppose Israel's right to exist, and conflate support of that right with absolute support of the Netanyahu government, and absolute lockstep about every single action of Israel. Do people imagine that all Christians are responsible for wars in majority Christians countries?"The Jews" that are called out in this letter are our congregations. Your neighbors here, in America. We are either "victims" or "cruel." Too many "grandchildren of the Jews?" How many of us is that, here in Kitsap County?How dare assume that you know the truth and complexity of what it is to be a Jew. Of who we are and what we believe. How dare you assume that this is some kind of game where we should all cheer violence on one side or another. How dare you reduce mass rapes and torture and murder to "they're just so angry that it makes sense." And how dare you conflate Palestinians with Hamas, a fundamentalist, militant group.No expressed opinions about this war, not Ms. Slow Loris's nor that of any American, will bring peace and safety to anyone suffering on the ground in Israel or Gaza.

Rabbi Emily Katcher, Congregation Beth Hatikvah, Bremerton