I want to address the issues raised by Alan Stein in his July 21 letter responding my July 7 letter to the editor. It is amazing that those who defend Israeli action go back centuries for a rationale. His statements about Ukrainian antisemitism in the 16th century or Ukraine’s record during World War II are old history and should not be forgotten but should never be used to excuse actions today.
Mr. Stein conveniently forgets that Ukraine was part of Russia for many years. Nor does he mention the 1939 Molotov-Ribbentrop treaty between the Russians and Germans.
Russia has always been and still is the main source of antisemitism and Ukraine was their puppet. Russia has consistently supported dictators and anti-democratic actions in its own nation. Look at Russia’s major war supporters now: Syria, Iran, China, North Korea, Hungary, Myanmar. Does Israel really want to join that group? Because Ukraine may support UN resolutions against Israel does not make them any worse than many other UN nations.
The only concern now is that Russian criminal aggression be stopped. Words of support are meaningless to Ukraine as Russians purposely kill civilians including Jews, and attack Jewish institutions in Russia itself.
Think of an athletic man standing on a beach watching a child drowning in the surf. Rather than rescue him he just yells encouragement to the child as he slowly drowns. Israel is just standing there yelling at Russia but oral support does not stop tanks nor bombs nor missiles.
Come on Israel. Decide who is right and actually act! We all know there is only one right actor in this war and we know who that is.
David Jacobson, Andover
