Mourners pray during the funeral of 13 Palestinians in the...

Mourners pray during the funeral of 13 Palestinians in the Nur Shams refugee camp near the West Bank town of Tulkarem, Sunday, April 21, 2024.  Credit: AP/Majdi Mohammed

Let’s be the change we want to see

Two things can be true at the same time. You can stand for Israel yet be against the atrocities of war [“Hard lessons in free speech,” Editorial, April 23]. Americans have the freedom to demonstrate for or against an issue, but when it crosses the line to threatening harm, it has gone too far.

I respect the right to rally and support voices being heard. What I object to is when someone’s voice aims to silence an opposing view. We have to listen to each other and learn to share our thoughts in a productive way.

My heart aches for the loss of life in Israel on Oct. 7 while at the same time I hurt for the Gazans who are suffering as a result. Let’s not take sides but hope for a solution and be the change we wish to see in the world.

 — Brenda Ferrante, Lindenhurst  

Those clamoring for a cease-fire in Gaza should recall there was a cease-fire in effect before Oct. 7, when Hamas committed atrocities during its incursion into Israel.

Hamas started this war, and now Gaza residents are suffering. Anyone who wants a cease-fire should direct the request to Hamas. The war could be over in minutes if Hamas released all the kidnapped hostages and put down its weapons.

Instead, Hamas threatens more future attacks.

— Joel Verstaendig, Plainview

Sadness can creep into comic strips

As a daily Newsday reader for over 20 years, I have followed the cartoon strip For Better or for Worse.

The week of April 15-19 (exploreLI) was very sad as it showed the death of the family dog, Farley, who saved his owner, April, from drowning.

Well, on April 19, I cried and cried. It may be silly to some that a 71-year-old would cry about a cartoon, but I did.

I read cartoons for enjoyment, but lately they’ve become more like real life.

Of course I will continue to read them, but I do wish they would make me happy instead of sad.

I am an animal lover, and I know Farley lived a good life, but still, I find this upsetting.

— Louise Press, East Quogue

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