Antisemitism, boat attacks, Ukraine, health insurance, welfare to work panel

Leaders must act to resist antisemitism

Once again, members of the Jewish community are being targeted and killed simply for being Jewish [“Bondi Beach massacre a symbol of hate,” Opinion, Dec. 16]. Antisemitism has become disturbingly commonplace, often excused or ignored rather than confronted.

When government leaders allow protests outside synagogues, Jewish events, and Jewish-owned businesses to proceed unchecked, they help create an environment in which intimidation and violence are normalized.

When influential figures in entertainment use their platforms to circulate or legitimize antisemitic narratives under the guise of anti-Israel activism, they contribute to that same climate. And when university leaders fail to protect Jewish students from harassment and intimidation, they send a clear message: Jewish safety is negotiable.

Expressions of sympathy and condemnation are no longer enough. What is required now is decisive action along with unequivocal support in confronting antisemitism — before more lives are lost.

— Joel Block, Merrick

The writer retired as the executive director of the Suffolk Y Jewish Community Center in Commack.

Government leaders, rather than just talking about it, must take a strong stand in doing something, like bringing the educational system more up to date, including world events.

When demonstrators chant “from the river to the sea,” they need to look at a world atlas to see which river and which sea. Do they have a clue? Can they even find Israel on a map? And many of them are, sad to say, college students.

— Pat King, Merrick

U.S. boat attacks divert Ukraine news

Yes, there are many questions to be answered about the killing of two survivors of a U.S. attack on a boat in the Caribbean.

But who is paying attention to the daily slaughter of civilian men, women, and children in Ukraine? This invasion by Russia has been going on for nearly four years [“Zelenskyy offers to drop NATO bid,” News, Dec. 15].

Russia usually sends hundreds of drones into Ukraine nightly, targeting civilian infrastructure, hospitals, schools and residential buildings. Hundreds of drones. Negotiators spend countless hours discussing proposals that abandon Ukraine and bolster Russian President Vladimir Putin while he smiles and refuses to budge from his inhumane stance.

Sanctions have done nothing to slow down Putin. Will we continue to be distracted from this assault on a democratic ally by the daily Washington shell game we live with?

— Chris Marzuk, Greenlawn

This health insurance came to my rescue

I know what it’s like to go without health insurance [“ ‘Really can’t afford it’: Health care costs spiking,” LI Business, Dec. 15]. I lacked access to coverage for years, forgoing checkups and routine cancer screenings. It wasn’t until I started losing weight rapidly that I knew I couldn’t delay care any longer. Despite being uninsured, I went to a doctor and was fortunate because I learned I had colorectal cancer.

Hearing you have cancer is terrifying, and when you lack health insurance, it carries even more fear. It made me realize I took a dangerous gamble by forgoing insurance, but I had no choice because of the cost. The one silver lining was that I was diagnosed during open enrollment and could sign up for lifesaving coverage.

Marketplace insurance was affordable to me, thanks to the enhanced premium subsidies. So, with House Speaker Mike Johnson saying Tuesday that the House will not vote on extending subsidies before year-end, time will run out. And many New Yorkers will lose access to the coverage that saved my life.

— Stephanie Darius, West Babylon

It’s unconscionable to end this panel

The Welfare to Work Commission will end at the end of the month despite successes in which clients were transitioned from public assistance to work [“Suffolk panel to dissolve,” Long Island, Dec. 10].

The unpaid commission’s goals are to help with housing, vocational training and child care that will help people transition from government subsidies to work.

It is unconscionable and poor policy to end this commission.

— Judi Gardner, Melville

My eyes can’t believe what government did

I suffer with a neurological dysfunction that affects my eyesight. Reading print is easier for me in the Calibri font instead of Times New Roman. Thank you, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, for letting me know that my eyesight was woke [“Rubio’s change in official typeface stirs font of controversy,” News, Dec. 12].

Who knew?

— Vicki Appel, Massapequa Park