Readers sound off on Israel’s attacks on hospitals, an abusive landlord and airport lockers

To cripple Gaza, Israel destroys its hospitals

Los Altos, Calif.: I am writing to express my deep concern over the recent destruction of Gaza’s hospitals, particularly Al-Shifa Hospital, and the devastating impact this has had on the health sector in Gaza. The withdrawal of Israeli forces after a two-week raid left the medical complex in ruins, with a significant loss of life.

Dr. Ghassan Abu-Sittah, a British-Palestinian reconstructive surgeon who worked tirelessly at Al-Shifa and Al-Ahli Baptist hospitals, highlights the dire situation on the ground. He emphasizes the critical role of Al-Shifa in Gaza’s health system, constituting 30% of its capacity. The wanton destruction of this hospital is part of Israel’s plan to render Gaza uninhabitable, ensuring it lacks a functioning health system. Abu-Sittah also condemns the complicity of Western journalists who perpetuated narratives that militarized hospitals, making them targets for Israeli attacks. The tragic killing of Dr. Ahmad Maqadmeh underscores the consequences of such narratives, as hospitals become casualties of war.

The destruction of Al-Shifa and other hospitals has resulted in a staggering loss of life. Children have borne the brunt of this violence, with thousands left with life-altering disabilities. Furthermore, the recent authorization of arms transfers to Israel by the Biden administration raises serious concerns about complicity in war crimes. Abu-Sittah’s election as rector of the University of Glasgow, on a platform advocating for divestment from the arms trade, highlights the urgent need for accountability and solidarity with the Palestinian people.

In light of the International Court of Justice’s interim ruling on genocide in Gaza, it is imperative that governments and institutions reassess their relationships with arms manufacturers and take concrete steps to prevent further complicity in human rights violations. Jagjit Singh

Who started it?

Brooklyn: To Voicer Kimball Shinkoskey: In your letter accusing President Biden of hypocrisy, you likened the Israeli actions in Gaza to the actions of Russia in Ukraine. However, you forgot to mention that prior to the start of either war, Israel and Ukraine were just minding their own business peacefully until they were brutally attacked by invaders. Steve Miller

To their own ends

Dartmouth, Mass.: Each phase of Israel’s response to the Hamas attack of Oct. 7 reveals the depth of arrogance, self-righteousness and selfishness of Benjamin Netanyahu. The comparison to Donald Trump is startling. Each man is facing criminal convictions and is delaying judicial accountability — Netanyahu by continuing the horrendous war on Gaza, and Trump by fomenting and threatening civil war and utilizing every trial delaying tactic. Devoid of compassion or commitment to the founding principles of their nations, each man is doubling down on hateful rhetoric and is appealing to the vindictive and nationalist tendencies of millions of supporters. It is particularly distressing that in two of the most educationally advanced nations, with unlimited access to accurate news, hundreds of thousands of citizens continue to believe obvious lies and support each man despite overwhelming evidence of their unethical, narcissistic and destructive agendas. Betty Ussach

Rights rollback

Massapequa, L.I.: Arizona, party like it’s 1864 (“Going backward in Arizona,” editorial, April 11)! Paul Pepe

Unserious stuff

Flushing: Is your front-page headline “Get dressy, not messy” (April 11) a joke? I can not believe that with all that is going on in the world, your editorial staff could not come up with a more important headline for your front page. While I think it merits printing in your paper, I do not feel it merits front-page news. It is also somewhat corny. Martin Goldman

Chief challenges

Warwick, R.I.: Now that the solar eclipse has come and gone, most Americans will now focus their attention on our nation’s highest concerns. In recent polls, the top 10 concerns are: immigration, government, economy, inflation, poverty levels, unifying the country, race relations, federal budget, crime and violence, and elections. The need is to work now to elect new legislators who may have solutions to improve some of our concerns. This year’s election could have years of lasting effects that could change the course of our government’s future. Actions taken so far show a disjointed Congress with no consensus to overcome any pending adverse conditions. With the possibility of a new president and legislative leaders, there is hope that we can overcome some of our needs and work for the good of all Americans. Bob Sweeney

Nitpicking

Richmond Hill: To Voicer Bob Bergin: Regarding your statement about Chuck Schumer and his eyeglasses, you must be MAGA, because that’s all they do — criticize, criticize, criticize over nonsensical and none-of-their-business issues. Obviously, his distance vision is fine and he only needs reading glasses. Or don’t you understand that concept? Ene Kelly

Danger to democracy

Whiting, N.J.: To Voicer Ralph A. Manente: Regardless of my working IQ and those of the real patriots (the ones who don’t wrap themselves in a flag to prove it), the bottom line is that once Trump is removed from this mortal coil, our country — and the world — will be a better place. We may have to settle for a prison term versus his demise, but I am not getting my hopes up because of the endless delaying tactics and the very real possibility that he will be reelected because of voters like you. “Treasonous Democratic Party,” Ralphy? When was the last time a president other than Trump tried to illegitimately retain power, sic a mob on the Capitol and try to otherwise subvert democracy? Bill McConnell

Space cases

Bronx: Kudos to Texas Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee for educating a group of high school students on the “planet” moon. She articulately explained that it is “mostly made up of gases” emitting “unique light and energy.” Lee should also be commended for her ambitions to “know how to live and be able to survive on the moon.” This would be a great problem-solver should Georgia Rep. Hank Johnson’s fears about the island of Guam capsizing due to overpopulation ever be realized! Joe Schulok

Under siege

Brooklyn: I know someone who is elderly and has lived in her apartment for 53 years. She has paid her rent all that time while raising a son. However, it is a co-op conversion place. If she is removed, the landlord will happily sell it as a co-op for millions. He has tried to make her leave many times. On Thursday, he and five men came and took everything she owned away, including necessities. Then he smacked her in the mouth and even took her phone. But she was allowed to keep her computer and internet, so she has access to Facebook. But when others called the cops, the cops sided with the landlord and felt what he did wasn’t abuse. This woman has lived in Brooklyn her whole life. Her son is disabled and in a group home so he can’t help her. What is she supposed to do? Frances Pam

Locker threat

Bethpage, L.I.: It appears that nearly 50 years after 10-plus were killed and many others were injured when a bomb placed in a public locker exploded at LaGuardia Airport, New York’s mayor either does not know history or believes terrorists are less likely to utilize lockers for their terrorist acts. After the bombing, lockers at airports across America have been banned. In an effort to appease commercial interests and perhaps those who utilize online shopping and delivery through shipping services, the need to secure deliveries trumps public safety. Vincent McElroen

Dumb dealer

Brooklyn: If I collect sales tax and have a state liquor and cigarette license, why can’t I sell grass? Gov. “Hoople” confiscates thousands of pounds to destroy that could have been regulated by my licenses. Imagine the sales tax she lost for these last few years. And she has to pay to destroy the poundage. Ultimately, she and her foolish advisers are the worst drug dealers ever. A 13-year-old on the corner can pay his mother’s rent and get sneakers in less than two weeks of sales. Hoople is still wondering how to monetize something that’s an in-demand commodity. State troopers in Brooklyn will not close your budget gaps by writing tickets down here. She really hates this city. Lisa DeSantis