Readers’ comments: April 12, 2024

The Courier received more than 50 letters of support for Mick Rhodes’ March 29 column, “There is no justification for the horrors in Gaza.” Due to space concerns, we are unable to publish all of them in print. Below is a sampling of those letters. All of them are posted on our website.

Dear editor:
Thank you for publishing the article on March 29th regarding the Israeli genocide against the Palestinian people in Gaza.
I heard that the article was taken down due to strong opposition.
Please publish it again. Spread it far and wide. This piece is gold because it speaks to the truth of what is happening. Your words will save lives. Please publish it again. Thank you
Nishat Ahmed
Corona

Dear editor:
Thank you for your recent article “There is no justification for the horrors in Gaza” [March 29]. We need more journalists calling out Israel’s crimes and putting the situation into correct perspective. I appreciated your article.
Sara Ahmed, MD
Tustin

Dear editor:
Thank you for publishing Mick Rhodes’ article, “There is no justification for the horrors in Gaza” [March 29]. It is a much needed piece of real journalism at a time where the media has chosen to ignore the reality of the horrors inflicted on Gazans.
As an American citizen, I am ashamed and appalled at our government’s complicity in this genocide. While the horrors are live streamed to us, our government continues to send billions of dollars of aid and weapons to Israel. We have given Israel a blank check to do whatever it wants with no accountability.
Israel’s recent brazen and deliberate killing of seven foreign aid workers is a prime example of that lack of accountability and oversight on the violence they are enacting in Gaza.
For Israel, this is just a small price to pay to ensure that more than two million Gazans starve to death. We need voices like Mick Rhodes’ to educate all Americans so that we can pressure our governments to do the right thing.
Please keep sharing the truth and education the public. The time for opinion pieces and lengthy fruitless debates is over, let’s get the facts out there and stop funding a genocide and famine.
Thank you again.
Mae Ali
Upland

Dear editor: 
Thank you for publishing Mick Rhodes article, “There is no justification for the horrors in Gaza.” As an American citizen, I am ashamed and appalled at our government’s complicity in this genocide.
While the horrors are live streamed to us, our government continues to send billions of dollars of aid and weapons to Israel. We have given Israel carte blanche to do whatever it wants. Israel’s recent brazen and deliberate killing of seven foreign aid workers is a prime example. For Israel, this is just a small price to pay to ensure that more than two million Gazans starve to death.
We need voices like Mick Rhodes’ to educate our citizens so we can pressure our government to do the right thing.
Omar Alnaggar
San Jose

Dear editor:
Thank you for publishing Mick Rhodes article, “There is no justification for the horrors in Gaza.” As an American citizen, I am ashamed and appalled at our government’s complicity in this genocide.
While the horrors are live streamed to us, our government continues to send billions of dollars of aid and weapons to Israel. We have given Israel carte blanche to do whatever it wants. Israel’s recent brazen and deliberate killing of seven foreign aid workers is a prime example. For Israel, this is just a small price to pay to ensure that more than two million Gazans starve to death.
We need voices like Mick Rhodes to educate our Americans so that we can pressure our governments to do the right thing.

Ibraheem Fakira
Walnut Creek

Amin El Gamal
Los Angeles

Madiha Khurshid 
Irvine

Zeenath Masood
Fontana

Zaineb Salehjee
Westminster

Mitali Thakor
Middletown, Connecticut 

Omar Alnaggar
San Jose

Dear editor:
As a resident of the Inland Empire I was given a sense of relief when I say that the Claremont Courier actually published an article [“There is no justification for the horrors in Gaza,” March 29], that sheds light on the reality of what is happening in Gaza. It is a very well written article by Mick Rhodes in which it decries Israel’s disproportionate response to October 7 and punishes the entire population in return.
Unfortunately, Israel realizes that when realties of the situation reach the public then no sane individual would support this genocidal maniac. As such it is imperative that the Claremont Courier bring back the article and republish it on its website.
Let us not remain silent in the face of a genocide and let us not be silenced by those supporting a genocide.
Saleem Gibani
Montclair

Dear editor:
Thank you for publishing an article exposing a portion of the atrocities that the Israeli government is committing in its ongoing genocide and ethnic cleansing of the Palestinian people.
However, I am deeply disappointed by your removal of this article and subsequent role in silencing a voice for the oppressed and innocent men, women and children being literally slaughtered and starved to death. The truth must be spoken, especially as bloodthirsty warmongers continue to cry crocodile tears. Everyone who plays a role in covering the ugly truth has the blood of innocent human beings on their hands. I urge you not to be one of them.
With a heavy heart,
Layla Jalanbo
Placentia

Dear editor:
I appreciate your recent article on Gaza. Our country needs to know the sickening reality of what is going on there. And we, as Americans, need to use our voice to make a difference. After all, it is our tax money funding it.
Bushra Jibaly 
Orange

Dear editor:
Thank you for publishing Mick Rhodes’ article, “There is no justification for the horrors in Gaza.” As an American citizen it is so shameful to see my government continue to arm Israel as it commits these atrocities. We have given Israel carte blanche to do whatever it wants.
I have never bore witness to such atrocities in my life. I don’t know how many nights I have cried to sleep after seeing the grave crime against humanity; children withering away from being starved, maimed children who are parentless, parents crying holding their babies’ body parts, bodies being bulldozed over, starving animals eating human carcasses, and the deliberate killing of journalists, doctors, aid workers. It’s horrendous.
We need voices like Mick Rhodes’ to educate our Americans so that we can pressure our governments to do the right thing.
Beatrice Jones
Alta Loma

Dear editor:
Mick Rhodes’s article, “There is no justification for the horrors in Gaza,” was an excellent piece showing the realities of genocide in Gaza. I’m appalled by your decision to retract it. You have a moral duty to inform the American public of the realities in Gaza, which our tax dollars are funding.
I am ashamed and appalled at the Biden administration’s complicity in this genocide. We need voices like Mick Rhodes to educate Americans so that we can pressure the government to stop funding a genocide.
Hind Katkhuda
San Francisco

Dear editor:
Mick Rhodes’ article, “There is no justification for the horrors of Gaza,” is a voice of reason that has been long overdue. While it seems Western media outlets are reporting on the situation in Gaza and the staggering amount of death and destruction with a sense of detachment — as though stating the inevitable or commenting on the weather — Rhodes provides a stark contrast: when did the mass starvation and murder of children become acceptable? When did the world speak of such horrors in such a blasé manner?
The reality could not be further from the truth. Rhodes eloquently brings that point home. He juxtaposes both the information provided by world organizations such as Oxfam and the United Nations with personal incredulity at blind acceptance of this as fact. He calls out both the governments involved as well as the people for not only allowing this to happen but accepting and welcoming it as justice.
Although I believe Rhodes missed the mark on the nuances of the situation by condemning the resistance of the Palestinian people, equating the horrors experienced by the Israelis with the Palestinians, and glossing over the dehumanization of the Palestinian people, overall I appreciate the publication calling the world out on its hypocrisy and silence in the face of the genocide of innocents.
Walaa Katoue
Calgary, Canada

Dear editor:
I am writing to express my support for the publication of your article, “There is no justification for the horrors in Gaza.” I believe that it is an important contribution to the discourse on the ongoing conflict in the region, and I commend you for your courage in publishing it.
I urge you to stand firm in the face of any pressure to remove the article from your website. Your work is an important contribution to the public discourse, and it deserves to be read and discussed by a wide audience.
Thank you for your important work.
Ziyad Abdel Khaleq
Los Altos

Dear editor:
Thank you to the Claremont Courier for publishing Mick Rhodes’ piece, “There is no justification for the horrors in Gaza.” By citing facts, Rhodes makes a clear cut case for ending Israel’s impunity in its genocide on Gaza. According to the U.N. Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese, Israel has met the threshold of criteria for committing genocide on the Palestinian people. And Israel is doing so with impunity, using U.S. bombs and our hard earned tax money.
Just yesterday, we learned that Israel targeted for assassination seven workers from World Central Kitchen who were delivering food to help stave off the famine in Gaza caused by Israel. Those slain workers were from Western countries who are allies to Israel, including Australia, Canada, and America. Israel is out of control, and the world — especially the U.S. — must stop enabling it in its genocide.
As an American, I want no part of Israel’s genocide of Gaza. President Biden has the power to stop all this killing. He must enact an arms embargo and stop all of our money flowing to Israel.
Sabiha Khan
Anaheim

Dear editor:
Thank you for publishing Mick Rhodes’ article, “There is no justification for the horrors in Gaza.”  As an American citizen, mother, and more importantly, as a human being, I am ashamed and appalled at our government’s complicity in this ongoing genocide being broadcast to us live from Gaza.
While the horrors are live streamed to us, our government continues to send billions of dollars of aid and weapons to Israel. We have given Israel carte blanche to do whatever it wants. Israel’s recent brazen and deliberate killing of seven foreign aid workers is a prime example. For Israel, this is just a small price to pay to ensure that more than two million Gazans starve to death.
We need voices like Mick Rhodes’ to educate our Americans so that we can pressure our governments to do the right thing.
Madiha Khurshid 
Irvine

Dear editor:
Thank you for publishing Mick Rhodes article, “There is no justification for the horrors in Gaza.” As an American citizen, I am ashamed and appalled at our government’s complicity in this genocide.
While the horrors are live streamed to us, our government continues to send billions of dollars of aid and weapons to Israel. We have given Israel carte blanche to do whatever it wants. Israel’s recent brazen and deliberate killing of seven foreign aid workers is a prime example. For Israel, this is just a small price to pay to ensure that more than two million Gazans starve to death.
We need voices like Mick Rhodes to educate our Americans so that we can pressure our governments to do the right thing.
Zeenath Masood
Fontana

Dear editor:
Your article, “There is no justification for the war in Gaza,” was a breath of fresh air and a rare example of honest journalism in this era of obfuscating facts to divert responsibility from Israel’s war crimes. As you have pointed out, Palestinians are starving not because there is not enough aid, but because Israel is using aid as a weapon of war. Palestinians are not being killed because Hamas uses human shields. They are being killed because Israel is targeting them in efforts to take over their land.
I am sorry to hear that the article had to be pulled from your website due to backlash from those who do not consider a white life worth the same as a brown life. We need to stand up to this bullying. Please consider reposting your article. We need brave journalists like Mick Rhodes to speak the truth, and must not silence them when their reporting the truth can save the life of two mothers every hour and several children per day.
In solidarity with you and Palestinian freedom!
Afsheen Mazhar
Ancaster, Ontario, Canada

Dear editor:
I would like to thank you for the Mick Rhodes’ article, “There is no justification for the horrors in Gaza.” I have been watching horrific videos on social media from journalists in Gaza documenting the killing of civilians for the last six months, but unfortunately very few news organizations have the courage to cover those stories or call out Israeli war crimes for what they are. It pains me deeply to know that my tax dollars are being used to kill children in Gaza. There has to be an end to the senseless killing. No country should be allowed to violate international law and Israel is no exception. I hope to see more articles like this one being published.
Haseena Mirza
Fullerton

Dear editor:
Thank you for publishing Mick Rhodes article, “There is no justification for the horrors in Gaza.” As an American citizen, I am ashamed and appalled at our government’s complicity in this genocide.
While the horrors are live streamed to us, our government continues to send billions of dollars of aid and weapons to Israel. We have given Israel carte blanche to do whatever it wants. Israel’s recent brazen and deliberate killing of seven foreign aid workers is a prime example. For Israel, this is just a small price to pay to ensure that more than two million Gazans starve to death.
We need voices like Mick Rhodes’ to educate our Americans so that we can pressure our governments to do the right thing.
My friends and I have been making phone calls for last six months since the bombing began. Initially we watched how one hospital got bombed in Gaza followed by all of them. Yet none of that has amounted to anything.
So, thank you for publishing Mick Rhodes’ article.
Sadia Moinuddin
Anaheim

Dear editor:
The article by Mick Rhodes, “There is no justification for the horrors in Gaza,” hits hard and true. I am disappointed to see it has been retracted.
We need voices like Mick Rhodes’ to be amplified and educate our public. In many decades from now, we will look at this dark part of our history and wonder how so many of us sat silently while our government supplied a genocide halfway across the globe.
I urge you to republish the Mick Rhodes piece and if you cannot, explain the reasoning why it was removed.
Bijan Osmani
Sacramento

Dear editor:
Thank you so much for publishing the article “There is no justification for the horrors in Gaza.” Far too many Americans are unaware of the situation in Gaza, as supporters of Israel are well organized in silencing any criticism of Israel.
Israel’s actions in Gaza have resulted in the displacement, suffering, and loss of thousands of Palestinian lives. As the article pointed out, those who have survived thus far are facing famine due to Israeli policies limiting the entry of aid. It is crucial to recognize that criticism of the Israeli government’s policies and actions does not equate to antisemitism, but rather stems from a genuine concern for justice, peace, and human rights.
We need more voices that are brave enough to speak up.
Saadia Parekh
Yorba Linda

Dear editor:
Thank you for publishing Mick Rhodes article, “There is no justification for the horrors in Gaza.”
As an American citizen, I am ashamed and disgusted of our government’s complicity in this genocide and war crimes of Israel. While the horrors are livestreamed to us on the daily, our government continues to send billions of dollars of aid and weapons to Israel. We are desperately begging for a permanent cease-fire to stop the bloodshed of innocent lives, consisting mainly of women and children.
Articles such as this help share the truth amidst the widespread Zionist propaganda.
We need voices like Mick Rhodes’ to educate our Americans so that we can pressure our governments to do the right thing.
Thank you for your bravery in covering the truth during these tragic times.
Nicolette Ponce
Huntington Beach

Dear editor:
In a world where truth is a rare commodity, we thank your newspaper for publishing Mick Rhodes’ thoughtful and well documented analysis on the situation in Gaza. Israel is committing massive war crimes, and our governments are complicit.
We personally have seen so many of our own community members lose entire families in Gaza because Israel dropped American made bombs on them. As Israeli historian Ilan Pappe has documented in his book, “The Ethnic Cleansing of Palestine,” this story did not begin on October 7. The Zionist mission began before 1948, and Netanyahu is just trying to complete the job by wiping out the Palestinians by any means necessary. “What a world” indeed.
Nadhira Dwi Putri
Missisauga, Canada

Dear editor:
Is it true that you took down the articles posted in links below from your website due to fears of a pro-Israeli backlash?
If so, I urge you to stand by this piece, stand up for peace and stand against the forces of genocide be they are in this country or abroad. Any backlash against printing about an obvious manufactured humanitarian catastrophe is nothing but the dying breaths of absolute evil, and it too shall perish.
Dr. Faisal Qazi
Claremont

Dear editor:
Thank you very much for your editorial, “There is no justification for the horrors in Gaza,” one of the most aptly named pieces I’ve seen since October 7. I even hesitate to call this an editorial or opinion piece, as it was very well cited and a piece that objectively calls on humanity to uplift humanity and end atrocities, and as such is a matter of morality, not opinion.
Please reinstate this piece to the website. I am a civil rights attorney that has been dealing with the backlash against students and employees, some from the Claremont area, who have been penalized for their pro-Palestinian speech over the years. To see their concerns echoed in a newspaper accomplishes something that no lawsuit or demand letter can, and that’s probably why the “other side” is so threatened by it. The space of public exchange of ideas and information must be kept open, please don’t cave to those who want to shut it down.
Ameena Mirza Qazi, Esq. 
Fullerton

Dear editor:
I want to thank you for writing the piece on Gaza [“There is no justification for the horrors in Gaza,” March 29]. Your writing is beautiful and honest, and I am sure the backlash has been fierce. Please know that your honest reporting is appreciated and necessary as people continue to deny the atrocities happening in Palestine.
Praying you stay strong in your conviction.
Kiran Qidwai
La Verne

Dear editor:
I am writing in response to the removal of the article in the Claremont Courier by Mick Rhodes on the horrors in Gaza.
Removal of an article that is not only factually accurate, but outlines the need for political change and justified outcry, is a disservice to the First Amendment.
Removal of an otherwise well researched and vetted article due to a few unhappy people is a disservice to your paper as a reputable media outlet.
Change and social reform is not easy, and articles like the one that was removed are the only thing saving what remains of our humanity as Americans.
I hope you will reconsider.
Shaza Quadri
Walnut

Dear editor:
Thank you for printing the piece on Gaza [“There is no justification for the horrors in Gaza,” March 29]. I can imagine the backlash may not be easy. Please know that it was truly appreciated and supported by so many.
Noreen Rahman
Lake Forest

Dear editor:
Thank you for publishing Mick Rhodes piece, “There is no justification for the horrors in Gaza.” Mick rightfully points out that Israel is committing atrocious abuses in Gaza and flagrantly violating international law, all with the financial and military support of the United States.
In an environment where any criticism of Israel is deemed as antisemitic, we applaud your newspaper for standing for the truth.
Aziz Rana
Mississauga, Canada

Dear editor: 
Thank you for publishing Mick Rhodes article, “There is no justification for the horrors in Gaza.” As an American citizen, I am ashamed and appalled at our government’s complicity in this genocide.
While the horrors are live streamed to us, our government continues to send billions of dollars of aid and weapons to Israel. We have given Israel carte blanche to do whatever it wants. Israel’s recent brazen and deliberate killing of seven foreign aid workers is a prime example. For Israel, this is just a small price to pay to ensure that more than two million Gazans starve to death.
We need voices like Mick Rhodes to educate our Americans so that we can pressure our governments to do the right thing.
Zaineb Salehjee
Westminster

Dear editor:
Thank you for publishing Mick Rhodes article, “There is no justification for the horrors in Gaza.”
It has been heartbreaking to watch the atrocities unfold in Gaza, with each day somehow worse than the last. And, to add insult to injury, the media coverage of this genocide has been deficient, biased, and downright wrong. Thank you for publishing such an accurate and honest article that relies on history, facts, and humanity to educate your readers.
We need articles like this one to empower us to speak truth to power and end this nightmare.
Sonya Servin
South Pasadena

Dear editor: 
We commend your newspaper for publishing “There is no justification for the horrors in Gaza.” Mick Rhodes has laid out the facts for us, plain to see. This situation is not complicated, as many would have us believe. It is simply the story of a brutal colonizing power that wants to take over the land once and for all, by any means necessary. Anyone who has been following this carnage being livestreamed on our social media feeds can see how one sided, vile, and morally corrupt Israel’s actions are. By killing World Central’s Kitchen’s seven aid workers, Israel is attempting to seal the deal by effectively deterring any aid organization to help the Gazans so it can succeed in starving them to death.
Your newspaper should not bend to those who are trying silence the truth as well. Please reinstate Mick Rhodes’ article on your website. This is what journalism stands for.
Arshia Siddiqui
Placentia

Dear editor:
I was dismayed to find that Mick Rhodes’ piece [“There is no justification for the horrors in Gaza,”] decrying the ongoing assault on Gaza has been retracted. Why? News outlets have a moral duty to make sure the American public is aware of the genocide in Gaza, including its origins and responsible parties. None of the facts reported in Rhodes’ piece are in dispute — unless you buy into certain propagandist ideas that there is no famine in Gaza despite what the U.N., World Food Program, and every major humanitarian agency in the world have documented. Rhodes’ article included robust citations in order to avoid, I imagine, exactly this circumstance.
Can you explain the reasoning behind the decision to remove Rhodes’ piece from publication?
Luke Taylor
Berkeley

Dear editor:
Thank you for publishing Mick Rhodes’ article, “There is no justification for the horrors in Gaza.” As an American citizen, I am ashamed and appalled at our government’s complicity in this genocide. While the horrors are live streamed to us, our government continues to send billions of dollars of aid and weapons to Israel.
We have given Israel carte blanche to do whatever it wants. Israel’s recent brazen and deliberate killing of seven foreign aid workers is a prime example. For Israel, this is just a small price to pay to ensure that more than two million Gazans starve to death.
We need voices like Mick Rhodes to educate our Americans so that we can pressure our governments to do the right thing.
Mitali Thakor
Middletown, Connecticut 

Dear editor:
I thank you for Mick Rhodes’ recent article on the situation in Gaza. It seems that the veil is finally being lifted from the world’s eyes on the reality of what Israel is doing and has been doing since even before 1948. As Rhodes rightfully points out, there are more than 2,000 Palestinians held hostage by Israel without any charges since well before October 7. Is it because these people are not white that they don’t deserve the same compassion or justice? The tone deaf argument that all of this is happening as a result of October 7 is laughable and farcical. Israel wants the Palestinians out and the land for itself by any means necessary. And, sadly, our leaders and politicians have sold their souls to help Israel achieve its objective in any way possible.
I appreciate  this article as it’s actual truth seeking and not the bias and blatant lies we’ve been inundated with since October 7.
Summar Yamout
Orange

Dear editor:
I am writing because I am disappointed that the article titled “There is no justification for the horrors in Gaza,” beautifully written by Mick Rhodes, was removed from your website. I can’t understand why this is the case. No matter the apparent stance a writer or article takes, there should not be censorship. We readers should be free to read everything and come to our own conclusions. This was a shameful act on your part, and I demand that it is undone.
Maha Zubaidi
Palo Alto

That’s not Lewis Park
Dear editor:
The photograph on page 3 in reference to the article “Group pushing for upgrades to city playgrounds” [April 5] with photo caption “Fencing surrounds portions of the Lewis Park playground,” is inaccurate and does not represent the playground at Lewis Park. There is no fencing around the Lewis Park playground. As a neighbor with my residence facing Lewis Park and the adjacent Hughes Center athletic field, I consider these city park playgrounds well maintained and also the athletic fields. Not only the playgrounds the support facilities are well kept.
Gerald J. Collier
Claremont

Courier’s new policy is terrible
Dear editor:
The Courier’s new policy to limit commentary to local issues [“Local news judgment evolves in a divided world,” April 5] is a terrible one that flies in the face of its longtime legacy as a small town paper with a big cosmopolitan reach.
In the early 1970s, in the years between working on my BA and master’s, I was a part-time Courier “pastie,” who applied rubber cement to photographic images of type. Back then, the Courier was a heady place to work, and I had the opportunity to work alongside such stellar personalities as Martin Weinberger and his wife, Janis, reporters Hope Waingrow and Thelma O’Brien, photographer George Rose, and photo editor/graphic designer Catherine McIntosh. They, along with countless unnamed others, worked to shape a publication that had influence far beyond Claremont’s borders. It would be a shame to turn back now in a futile attempt to isolate ourselves from the rest of the world.
The Courier’s decision comes on the heels of another terrible Claremont decision to limit public commentary [“Hateful calls prompt cessation of remote comments at public meetings,” October 13, 2023]. And at the end of February, instead of adopting its own cease-fire and return of the hostages resolution, our Claremont City Council adopted a resolution to ban any and all resolutions that are not local [“Council declines to take a position on war in Gaza,” March 1]. This goes against the basic democratic principle of encouraging engagement at every level from local, regional, state to federal.
Given the current state of affairs, this desire to silo ourselves off from the world is understandable. However, we are a college town with residents, faculty, and students from all over the world who have a specialized knowledge of international affairs. We should be capitalizing on this knowledge, not limiting it.
Democracy only works if we encourage public discourse.
Pamela Casey Nagler 
Claremont

‘Village Mouse’ aims to prop up Village businesses
Dear editor:
I love Claremont Village! What’s not to love? Fine restaurants, unique gift shops, lovely specialty stores, women’s, children’s and men’s clothiers, beauty and health care shops, a sweet little nursery, an amazing movie theater, a wonderful library … well, you get the idea.
I hope to write about one enterprise at a time, to shed light on places you may have missed or perhaps have not been aware of their services. Here’s my idea: every day we choose where to shop in Claremont and where to spend our money and time. I believe we need a mindset change. I know I do.
I too got used to online shopping, and big box chains, and picked convenience over community. Now I am mindfully choosing to shop local small businesses so that they stay in business! They do need us more than ever.
Our Courier editor recently wrote a piece entitled, “Buying into thoughtful living™.” [March 22] So good! I propose that we all will buy into “thoughtful choosing.”
There is so much we cannot control: capitalism, the free market, what landlords charge, but we can pick up a potted plant at Norens Nursery (free potting and delivery!). We can use Village services like dry cleaning, prescriptions, shoe repair, hair, nail, body care and more. You could have your kid’s special macaroni art framed at Stoutboy, or buy veggies, eggs, and flowers at the Sunday Farmers and Artisans Market.
Maybe some good changes can come to the Village, and our minds can offer new creative solutions. As city hall, Village Marketing Group, and the chamber of commerce work on making the Village thrive, may we all strive to do everything we can to support one another.
As we rethink together, I look forward to sharing more details on our wonderful small businesses.
The Village Mouse
Claremont