Letter to the Editor: Possible Change

Peace between brothers and sisters and their loved ones must be a priority, and I am grateful that the Inquirer published the following.

To the editor:

The complex path toward resolving perilous, enduring personal tragedies sheds light on effectively addressing seemingly impenetrable political quagmires, such as the war in Gaza. Both necessitate facing unsettling truths about dangerous human beings who will not change, recognizing profiles in courage as leaders, and a community awakened to these moral imperatives. For example, abused women are told repeatedly by partners who imprison them: “If you attempt to leave, I will kill you. Or I will make your life so miserable that you will wish you were dead.” Although much work remains, domestic violence organizations provide a tireless coterie of people who provide hope, direction, and protection to those living in fear. In doing so, they transform lives.

Like abusive partners, leaders of both the Palestine Liberation Organization and Hamas have “led” with blinding corruption and a lack of concern for their suffering population, who are terrified to oppose them. Since Hamas’ long-planned Oct. 7 atrocities, the dangerous limitations of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have been made shockingly clear. So, just as a determined citizenry unites to protect vulnerable families within its borders, there are powerful voices in all countries (in Israel and Gaza, as well) who insist that bloodshed between those once brothers be resolved through a two-state solution. Their commitment, determination, and grit will energize and inspire others to support this necessity and find a peaceful way to work within Israel and Palestine to make it happen.

Building a quality framework toward this goal can eventually lead to new leadership in Israel, as well as the emergence of a leader the Palestinians deserve — one with the vision, strength, and bravery of Egypt’s Anwar Sadat. Imagine his welcome to Israel by a leader like Golda Meir, who once again would ask, “What took you so long?”

SaraKay Smullens

Philadelphia

To The Philadelphia Inquirer, December 8, 2023