We must respond to two points in Jonathan Kahane’s recent guest column [“Haunted by questions with no good answers,” Gazette, Dec. 29]. First of all, it is a grave mistake to view the recent actions of Hamas as motivated by anti-Semitism; they were, rather, expressions of rage and frustration at over five decades of brutal occupation by the state of Israel. Secondly, the Hamas attack, brutal and condemnable though it was, cannot begin to justify Israel’s response, which involves the collective punishment of the entire Palestinian population (over 20,000 dead so far, a million more homeless and in want of food, water, and medicine) — a war crime, according to international law and a crime against humanity according to all moral codes. If Mr. Kahane is looking for answers to his questions, we suggest that he engage with the authors of the excellent recent guest columns by members of Jewish Voice for Peace (Dec. 27) and by Rev. Peter Kakos (Dec. 28) to learn why committed peace activists, Jews and non-Jews alike, are calling for an immediate and permanent cease-fire in Gaza.

Louise Antony

Leverett