Israel's military must refuse unlawful orders

Visby, Sweden: There was a time during Israel's early years when the then-properly named Israel Defense Forces would never have participated in the genocidal destruction of Gaza and Gazans on the orders of a corrupt, barbaric, brutal, internationally cruel war criminal like present Israeli Premier Benjamin Netanyahu. Shame on modern Israel for its atrocities in Gaza, as well as its unwise attacks on neighbors in the Mideast and its insensitivity to world concerns.

It was established at the Nuremberg Trials of leading Nazis that "I was just following orders" is never an excuse for perpetrating atrocities against innocent civilians trapped by war. Yet, the IDF appears ready, willing and unfortunately fully prepared to destroy the Gaza enclave. Meanwhile, the remaining Israeli hostages languish as prisoners. The UN correctly condemns the killing of some 70,000 Gazans by the IDF: men, women, children, medical staff, humanitarian aid workers, journalists -- the list of atrocities seems endless, as is the boundless complicity of all who look the other way or are silent in the face of horrors.

The massive demonstrations of people of goodwill all over the world, including many Israelis, lends weight to the case for an immediate cessation of hostilities in Gaza, on condition that all remaining hostages be released. It is the obligation of the IDF to refuse to continue the shameful Israeli invasion while taking every possible step to distribute all humanitarian aid now frozen just outside Gaza, where it is desperately needed. As we approach the Jewish High Holidays, we are enjoined to choose life. Let us choose it for the Gazans as well as for ourselves. Am Yisrael Chai! Shalom! Eugene Elander

Revised responsibility

West Orange, N.J.: To Voicer Celine Secada: Your letter is correct if you change the sentence that Israelis are brainwashed into hating Palestinians to the other way around. Jerry Seinfeld is correct in his analogy. I, for one, feel bad about this war, but who started it? If Israel put down its weapons, it would cease to exist. If it was the other way around, there would be peace, and I wish for nothing but peace between Arabs and Jews. There would be so much to be gained. I see you as someone who chooses to dislike Jews and berates them as thinking they are always the victims. Then you should be happy that Israel does not want to be the victim. I assume you think Oct. 7 didn't happen or it happened in context. Miriam Sheff

Right on

Manhattan: Your editorial "Impeach RFK Jr. to save lives" (Sept. 18) is completely on point. Robert F. Kennedy the lesser, repudiated by his own family, is, as you write, "a dire threat to public health." The anti-vaccination crowd doesn't understand community health and disease spread, and only concerns themselves with the individual. Alan Flacks

Public health threat

Rockaway Point: RFK Jr. should be fired. He is putting this country in jeopardy. When I started school, every student needed to show proof of immunization, and we're fine and never had those diseases. With so many foreign students, vaccines are now more important than ever. RFK's ethics are no better. Look what he did to his first wife and family. President Trump, please fire him. Parents are so confused. Regina Mangan

Who's next?

Oakland Gardens: Since Trump took office, we have seen many legal firms, colleges and universities bend the knee. Most recently, we have seen The Wall Street Journal being sued by the president, The New York Times now being sued by the president, CBS has canceled Stephen Colbert's show and Jimmy Kimmel's show has been suspended. All have criticized the president. As Americans, it is time to ask: Where does it stop? When has the line been crossed before it is too late to defend our democracy? Zane Tenenbaum

Not just Trump

Briarwood: Not only has Kimmel been canceled, but the jobs of the hundreds of employees on the show have been also. At least the employees of the Colbert show had about 10 months to find new jobs. This did not have to happen, but Disney chose a possible merger over freedom of speech. If you object to what is happening, boycott Disney. Mary Elizabeth Ellis

1st Amendment attack

Brookfield, Conn.: In all my years, never did I think I would ever agree with the Hollywood elite, but that day has come. Taking Kimmel off the air because he doesn't kiss the president's ring (which he keeps in his back pocket) has brought that about. I don't often watch Kimmel's show, but when I did, I always thought he was kind of funny even if I didn't agree with what he said. But that's the basis of our country: being able to agree or disagree with someone else's views. I read what he said in that monologue several times and still can't see what anyone could get overly upset about. It was his opinion, something he's entitled to under our Constitution. Once we lose the right to disagree, we begin a slide down a very slippery slope. Bob Lovell

Ideological takeover

Manalapan, N.J.: So, it finally came to this -- teach how and what we tell you or no more funding. Make fun of "dear leader" and get taken off the air. You make "hate speech," we make conservative comments. Only one sexual path and religion; the rest of you don't matter. Have clients we deem unacceptable and lose access to federal facilities. Anything I don't like is a national emergency. Lord have mercy on us. Joe Fontanelli

Civil disobedience

Manhattan: Millions of Americans have tried to reason with and peacefully march against those behind assaults on our free society, democracy and Constitution. Names of those responsible for the latter no longer matter. Each "side" has its own culprit lists and sees what it sees. But clever signs and posters have accomplished nothing. The generalized authoritarian assault is increasing exponentially every minute. The only way Americans can react effectively is to take several pages out of the Civil Rights era playbook. They need to boycott and stop en masse, without violence, some wheels of everyday life. Public transportation and communication hubs, as well as civic buildings, where increasingly devastating decisions are made, must thus be physically blockaded. Anyone or any entity currently involved in institutional power structures that aid and abet this rush toward authoritarianism has to be slowed down, concretely. Anything else is pointless -- or worse, useless. Stamos Metzidakis

A better ban

Morgantown, W.Va.: Re "Eric: 'End' horse-cart biz" (Sept. 18): Perhaps it's time to put the question to a vote: Which should be banned from Central Park, Lycra-clad bicyclists treating the park as their personal Tour de France course, flying along at breakneck speeds, ignoring red lights and stop signs and endangering pedestrians, or horse-drawn carriages, which have been a part of the park for more than a century, moving at a leisurely pace, delighting countless visitors and providing steady jobs for New Yorkers and a home for their horses? The carriages are part of the park's soul. It's the reckless cyclists who don't belong. Craig Sheldon

A sound plan

Bronx: Re "Eric looks to zap apts. for ex-cons" (Sept. 19): I am a lifelong resident of the area where the "Just Home" plan for former inmates with health needs has received NIMBY-like opposition. The location is quite sensible. The Jacobi Hospital campus provides easy access to health services. A police station is minutes away if any problems arise. It is close to transportation and other helpful resources. Mayor Adams' change of position is cynical electioneering. Joe Cocurullo

Nothing there

Brooklyn: An old man approached me on the street, handed me a blank piece of white paper and said, "My son, if you can figure out what this paper is, the kingdom of Heaven is yours!" I scoffed but looked at the paper. Could this mean the universe is infinitesimal? Does it represent the emptiness in our souls? Does it mean life has no meaning? Then suddenly, I chased the old man, screaming, "I got it, I got it! It's Zohran Mamdani's resume!" David DiBello

Readers sound off on moral disobedience, nonviolent resistance and post-release housing