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Dear editor:
Bruce Ticker asks how he can divest from Portland, Maine following its City Council’s vote not to invest in 85 companies that do business with Israel, noting that Portland is not currently invested in any of the named companies. (“Column: Time to Divest from Portland, Maine—After its Israel Divestment Vote” Boulder Jewish News September 13, 2024) Although this decision, therefore, has no direct effect on Israel’s economy, it is another small blow in the anti-Israel propaganda war. Fearing that investors are refusing to buy their stock, those companies may cease their interactions with Israeli companies or stop selling their products in Israel. It’s impossible to say how much of an effect the “divestment” will have. In a similar fashion, a protest move (one person staying in a hotel outside of Portland while continuing to make his much-enjoyed visits to the city) is unlikely to cause much harm to Portland’s economy. Therefore, I am offering an alternate protest mechanism. As a journalist, Bruce could do a great service to Israel and her people by writing articles and letters that point out the justness of the war Israel is fighting.
People must be made to realize that October 7 changed the rules of engagement between Israel and its enemies. Israelis were well-protected from the missiles that Arab countries and terrorist groups frequently fire at Israeli population centers; people are accustomed to getting to their shelters quickly and Iron Dome destroys most missiles likely to hit inhabited land. On October 7, families were burned alive in their safe rooms and having a personal weapon or two couldn’t stop gangs of rapists and murderers who burned houses down or broke through the safe room doors.
Palestinians cheered when Hamas promised to inflict a thousand October 7’s on Israel. Israel correctly concluded that its continued existence required a complete victory over Hamas, a demilitarization of Gaza, and a deradicalization of the Palestinians. Israel is not seeking revenge; rather, it is attempting to free Palestinians from Hamas’ abuse and laying the groundwork for future peaceful coexistence between Palestinians and Israelis.
https://www.gatestoneinstitute.org/20925/israel-enemy-hamas
Unfortunately, world leaders have been duped by Hamas’ propaganda, ignoring the fact that military experts have marveled at Israel’s ability to maintain a ratio of 1.5:1 for civilian deaths compared to combatant deaths when urban fighting usually results in much higher ratios of 3, 5, or even 9 civilians killed for each combatant slain. Fighting is further complicated in Gaza, because Hamas embedded its extensive tunnel network amid the populace, making it impossible to distinguish between civilian areas and military areas.
Toby F. Block
Atlanta, Georgia
