Washington DC’s protests against Netanyahu: Letters to the Editor — July 29, 2024

The Issue: The demonstrations in Washington, DC, protesting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

The burning of the American flag and the desecration of our nation’s monuments is deeply unpatriotic and totally unacceptable (“Protests greet Netanyahu,” July 25).

These acts should have been prevented by the authorities present. How was it possible for demonstrators to take down flags from three separate flagpoles and spray-paint a monument without being stopped? The police should have prevented this desecration in the first place.

Peaceful protest is a right, but it should never cross the line into violence. We need better leadership to handle this situation.

Richard Wolff

New Rochelle

It’s time for the National Guard to be deployed to quell such protests in Washington, DC, as they have already gone too far.

These protests all started at liberal colleges across the country. And now there are protests at our nation’s very own capitol. This should be dealt with accordingly.

John Nolty

West Kill

While the protests of the late 1960s and early ’70s against the Vietnam War were loud, strident and occasionally disruptive, what we are now encountering with the recent anti-Israel protests is of an entirely different dimension and character.

For example, the Wednesday demonstration in Washington included threats and assaults on police officers. Should we include flag-burning? A previous Supreme Court decision ruled that it is free speech — but with your own flag.

Peaceful and lawful protest is a well-accepted vehicle that provides the opportunity for dissent. However, what we are seeing now is not acceptable.

Mitch Schwefel

Barnegat, NJ

While Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was addressing Congress, anti-Israel protesters defaced a Liberty Bell replica, Columbus monument and numerous other prominent American landmarks.

Several progressive Democrats did not attend Netanyahu’s speech, including our very own Vice President Kamala Harris, in what can also be considered a form of protest.

All of this is shameful, as this is done in support of Hamas — a designated terrorist organization.

Joseph Comperchio

Brooklyn

The only crime of the protests was that a protester (or, in my opinion, a suspicious agitator) burned an American flag and not an Israeli one.

I am proud, however, to see that Americans of many stripes, among them Jews from the Jewish Voice for Peace, came together to protest the genocide being carried out by Israel’s Benjamin Netanyahu and his goons.

These protests were a prime example of the moral fortitude that so many pro-Palestinian activists hold. They exemplified the resilience necessary to shout, make their voice heard and show our AIPAC-funded politicians how many Americans actually feel about their support for the genocide of the Palestinian people in Gaza.

Leon Baader

Brooklyn

The desecration of our nation’s monuments with anti-American language cannot, in my mind, be considered free speech.

Seeing the Democrats do little about these protesters just proves that we need a change in our government. It’s time to start locking up and prosecuting these agitators.

Those who have died for this country at the very least deserve that.

James Schwartz

Summit, NJ

The protesters, or should I say rioters, who loudly proclaim that they support Hamas should face prison time when they destroy property and attack law-enforcement officers.

Taking down American flags and then putting up Palestinian flags cannot be tolerated in our country. This is an attack on our democracy.

They should be treated as enemies of the American government and imprisoned.

Bruce Collins

Middletown, NJ

The protesters stated they want to wipe out Israel and also besmirched America’s flag.
If that’s not bigotry, I don’t know what is.

Charlie Honadel

Venice, Fla.

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