American voice in Middle East must support peaceful solutions, not ongoing conflict | Opinion

End war in Middle East

President Biden must call for an immediate ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.

Hamas’ brutal attack on Israel on Oct. 7 was an aggressive act of war, and now Israel’s killing of 12,000 innocent men, women, and children – more than ten times those killed by Hamas -- and the destruction of much of Gaza is equally horrible.

Killing has escalated and no one wins.

We in the U.S. are culpable in this war, alienating allies around the world and adding fuel to Palestinians’ anger.

We must no longer support more war, but instead we must call for a complete end to the attacks on both sides and rebuild a peace process that recognizes the rights of all who live in the Holy Land.

Stan Frick, Columbia

Build, don’t destroy

On Oct. 7, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that Gazans would pay a “huge price” for the actions of Hamas and that the Israel Defense Forces would turn parts of Gaza’s densely populated urban centers “into rubble.”

On Oct. 28, Netanyahu justified his siege of Gaza by citing Deuteronomy, “You must remember what Amalek did to you,” thus implying that Palestinians are of Amalek. The same verse calls on the total destruction of Amalek.

Most colonizers hide behind their religion to legitimize and excuse their invasions, occupations and ethnic cleansing.

It makes no sense for the U.S. to fund yet another expensive war in the Middle East.

We spent over $3 trillion in Iraq and Afghanistan, which did not make either of our countries freer or safer.

Our money would be better spent building our society instead of destroying another’s, and causing more international ill will toward the people of the United States.

Leslie Minerd, Columbia

Enough misery

The Israeli response to the horrific attack by Hamas attack on Oct. 7 is not justified.

At some point we have to say, “Enough.”

This is not helping anyone and I cannot stand by and say nothing.

We are not powerless.

We can call on our elected officials: Reps. James Clyburn and Joe Wilson, Sens. Tim Scott and Lindsey Graham, and demand:

1. Ceasefire now. Ceasefire is an internationally recognized legal obligation including no more shooting/bombing/missiles from both sides;

2. Release of the hostages;

3. Israeli occupation forces leave Gaza within 24 hours so that aid agencies may safely enter Gaza for humanitarian aid;

4. Real and definitive peace talks with an actual timeline and addressing the root causes like an end to the brutal occupation, blockade, right of refugees to return, and mutual security; and

5. Contact newspapers to report what is happening especially since our tax dollars are helping pay for the Israeli military actions.

This thanksgiving as we give thanks for our family and our food and comfort, let us also speak up for those who are being starved, killed and displaced by IDF forces using our tax dollars.

Priscilla Preston, Columbia

Make schools safe

Now may be the time to return to teaching our children at home and online.

Understanding the importance of pupil interaction, schools can offer a one-day-a-week structured residency, where all staff is on duty.

Just in the last two days, there has been a malicious mob-style killing in Clark County, Nev., and now here in Richland County, South Carolina, a 17-year-old student stabbed another student and will be charged as an adult with attempted murder.

Even with the cost of school tablets paired with personal lunch vouchers, school districts could save on utility costs, supplies and payroll while cutting down on classroom interruptions.

Upgrading security and imposing a moratorium on in-person learning should be implemented until vested parties get this right.

Our politicians and school districts should be taking action now, not later.

Who can stop the violence in our schools?

The parents, federal and state government, local school districts, law enforcement and students?

We all must play our part as time passes, but immediate action must be taken.

Let’s make our schools safe again.

Jocelin Holman, Columbia