Douglas Rooks’ opinion piece titled “In absence of peace, war becomes inevitable” vilified Israel and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for the tragedy and horror now suffered by the Israeli people. He writes, “We shouldn’t forget decisions — mostly those by Israel — … which brought this about”. He also postulates the opinion that “Netanyahu …threatens to turn this haven for Jews, founded as a secular state, into a theocracy.” What followed this simplistic view is total political speculation on his part of relevant events.

I am at a loss as to why no mention was made of what really happened. I won’t forget that women and children were slaughtered in this Hamas genocidal raid.

Rooks seems to believe, regrettably, that this is an expected wartime act and the terrorists are the victims. It’s not, they are not. It is a wildly inaccurate and inappropriate opinion piece.

Your editors need to do better.

James Gorman

Winslow