Editor, The Beacon:

Yes, the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas on the Israelis was a horrific event. Do we know or understand what led up to such action? Has there always been a long-standing feud? Does the loss of 48,000 lives, displacement of 2 million individuals and the vast destruction of property justify the retribution unleashed by Israel? I don’t think so! What action — diplomacy — was taken by Israel to solve the disagreements?

Are these war crimes embedded in the Jewish religion, Christianity, the mystical god of Hamas or the Palestinians? Yes, we may have different ideologies, but is war the only answer? Kill your neighbor, man, woman and child. And, we — the USA — are complicit in fueling destruction by supplying the warfare to Israel.

Shame, shame on us. Defense is one thing; however, to support a war of revenge is beyond what Israel should be doing.

All aid to Israel must be stopped immediately. Pursuing the instigators of the Oct. 7 attack versus targeting the entire Palestinian state would have been more humane and prudent. Shame on Israel.

Am I personally affected? Only emotionally, and maybe through what my tax dollars could do to alleviate the pain and suffering in the world. Peace … so elusive, but it is obtainable.

Ray Johnson
DeLand