Letters to the Editor | Oct. 20, 2023

On Oct. 7, Palestinian Arabs slaughtered at least 1,400 Israelis — mostly Jewish men, women, and children. An additional 4,000 have been injured — many are in critical condition. In the streets of Philadelphia, people are waving PLO flags, calling for genocide against Jews, openly justifying the slaughter of Jews, and praising those who slaughtered Jews. Why would The Inquirer pour gasoline on this fire? The editorial cartoon published on Oct. 17 has only one purpose: to foment more Jew hatred. The Inquirer, in an overly simplistic fashion, used a cartoon bereft of any nuance to tell its readers that Jews are crushing Arab and Muslim civilians underneath a military boot.

No matter what one may think or feel about what is going on in the Middle East, the fact is: Israel does the exact opposite of what the published cartoon asserts. There is no nation and no military in the world that goes to the lengths that Israel does — including jeopardizing the lives of its soldiers and its citizens — to issue warnings and alerts to intentionally avoid or minimize civilian casualties.

Time will tell whether the editorial cartoon published will incite someone to act upon their new or amplified Jew hatred. There are a lot of violent, trigger-happy people in this city. Hamas, the Palestine Liberation Organization, and Palestinian Islamic Jihad have placed a target on the head of every Jewish person who lives in Israel. Has The Inquirer painted a similar target on the head of every Jewish person who lives in the Philadelphia region?

Steve Feldman, executive director, Greater Philadelphia Chapter of the Zionist Organization of America

Editor’s note: The Inquirer Editorial Board has issued an apology for the publication of the editorial cartoon on Oct. 17.

It is tragic that The Inquirer Editorial Board apologized for publishing an editorial cartoon. It says it did so because the cartoon used “antisemitic tropes.” That’s a facile way of saying nothing at all. The fact is that the cartoon simply made clear that the massively powerful country of Israel, with one of the most powerful armies in the world, was crushing the tiny (150 square miles) Gaza Strip. To say that this is antisemitic is to fall into the trap of equating anti-Israel opinion with antisemitic opinion. They are not the same thing at all, but that is an actual trope, frequently promulgated by Israel. And, of course, there’s the question of free speech, a value allegedly held dear by media outlets like The Inquirer. I suppose that it doesn’t apply when the opinions might alienate readers who support Israel.

Randall Cooper, Allentown

There is an authoritarian current rising in the GOP and its brand of genteel, country club conservatism. Donald Trump’s takeover of the Republican Party promotes the rise of a populist, anti-elite movement, and a flagrant disregard for truth and decency. Trump ultimately is willing to tear the GOP apart if he doesn’t get his way. We’ve become more suspicious of people on the “other side” of the aisle with social media that feeds us stories and information that we find interesting through an algorithm that encourages resentment and anger. Our nation needs a more humane party that prioritizes civility and principle over resentments and score-settling. We need exceptional “wise-wing” public servants who are diplomatic and follow the rules of the Constitution and their oath of office, not those who only serve to get Trump back in the White House.

Robert Gish, Newport, Pa.

The vitriol directed at Philadelphia school board president Reginald Streater and the Charter School Office (CSO) by State Sen. Anthony Hardy Williams and the coalition of some of Philadelphia’s Black-led charter schools is unacceptable. The Ballard Spahr report found no intentional racism or discrimination in the board’s decisions to close charters. It did find structural racism exhibited by some education reform philanthropists who choose not to fund many Black-led stand-alone charter schools. But the CSO and the board have no control over how those people decide to spend their money. Charters must be accountable for the millions in public money they receive. Which charter does Williams think should have stayed open? New Media, whose founders went to prison for stealing from the school? Leadership Learning Partners, which was ordered to repay over $1 million in tuition overcharges? Or the others that were inadequate by the metrics that Pennsylvania imposes on all public schools? The CSO appropriately holds charters and their boards accountable. It should be praised, not vilified.

Susan L. DeJarnatt, Philadelphia

A new 76ers arena on East Market Street is a game changer for Philadelphia. Those who oppose it clearly don’t care about the city’s future, only their myopic self-interests. The economic benefits of the arena in the heart of the failed Fashion District are manifold. Zero cost to taxpayers. A privately funded development by the Sixers owners — who will forgo the lucrative tax abatement on the property and waive the tax increment financing, providing millions more in tax dollars to the city. One billion dollars in tax revenue for Philadelphia’s eternally cash-strapped public schools over the 30-year lease. And a $50 million community benefit agreement to protect Chinatown and the surrounding communities.

The arena’s location atop SEPTA’s Jefferson Station will promote public transportation and greatly reduce traffic congestion. The facility will include street-level retail shopping, host at least 150 ticketed events annually, and be open daily for various community events. The increased foot traffic will greatly enhance public safety, as will the Sixers’ funding of safety ambassadors to patrol the surrounding streets.

In response to service industry unions that have raised concerns (some legitimate, some not) about the impact of the Center City arena on their members, the Philadelphia Building Trades has only advocated for full-time positions for their members. Elected officials and political candidates who stand against the new arena stand against the Philadelphia Building Trades. We welcome all stakeholders to join us as we move this effort and conversation forward with total transparency. Email council@philadelphiabtc.com and we’ll share updates as they develop. Philadelphians think of this place as a world-class city. It’s time we started acting like one. Build the arena.

Ryan N. Boyer, business manager, Philadelphia Building and Construction Trades Council

Future Hall of Famer Bryce Harper is an inspiration to baseball fans everywhere. What distinguishes him is not only his extraordinary talent and fiery passion, especially in the postseason, but his recognition that the team name on the front of his jersey is far more important than his own name on the back.

John R. Leopold, Stoney Beach, Md., jmllr@comcast.net

Philadelphia Police Officer Richard Mendez and Temple University Police Officer Christopher Fitzgerald heroically lost their lives in shootings by residents outside of our city. Out-of-town drag racers and dirt bike riders cross our county lines with impunity and contempt for our great city. I hope our incoming mayor and police commissioner will take a stronger stance on the violence plaguing Philadelphia and pledge that crime will not be tolerated (by residents or outsiders). The shootings, looting, and illegal dumping must stop.

New Jersey, Cheltenham, and Upper Darby Township police have a reputation for willfully pulling over motorists to “run a check.” Why is that a bad thing? For law-abiding citizens like myself, we are begging for safety, peace, and quiet. While I applaud District Attorney Larry Krasner for being proactive with the Innocence Project and rooting out bad cops, we need balance. We need to stand for the rights of innocent bystanders and children, who are paying the ultimate sacrifice. It is possible to be the City of Brotherly Love while taking no guff from hooligans. Take back our streets. Stop accepting crime as “a Philly thing.”

K. Mayes, Philadelphia

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