Re: "As Jews, we call for a ceasefire and a just peace"

"The three authors address Israeli and Palestinians losses equally and I think speak for many of us who are neither Jewish nor Palestinian but mourn for "the loss of humanity," including that of the Canadian government which has so far not called for a ceasefire."


November 7, 2023

To:

Nicole Feriancek, Editor-in-Chief, Ottawa Citizen
Aaron Hutchins, Deputy Editor, Ottawa Citizen
Christina Spencer, Opinion, Ottawa Citizen
Editor, letters

Dear Ms. Feriancek, Mr. Spencer, Mr. Hutchins and letters Editor,I am writing to express my deep appreciation for the Opinion Piece "As Jews, we call for a ceasefire and a just peace," subtitled "Not in our name...", published on Nov 07.

The three authors address Israeli and Palestinians losses equally and I think speak for many of us who are neither Jewish nor Palestinian but mourn for "the loss of humanity,"  including that of the Canadian government which has so far not called for a ceasefire. 

The piece points out that even in the Occupied West Bank, where Hamas cannot be used as an excuse, violence against Palestinians (as well as their Jewish supporters!) is state-sanctioned. I appreciated the reference to the weapons manufacturers whose stocks soar, something that does not appear often enough in coverage of any war.

I stand in admiration for the integrity, courage and strength of conviction it must have taken to write and publish this piece, criticizing as it does the state of Israel, CIJA, and those Jewish communities that taught support for Israel is sacrosanct regardless of its actions.

Beautifully, sensitively yet firmly worded, this letter helps to restore my faith in at least some parts of humanity and the hope that eventually justice will prevail.

Renée Nunan-Rappard
Lanigan, SK
S0K 2M0
1-306-365-8316