:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tronc/YYA4CR4255GXJJSNOGFLWSZ4YI.JPG)
Recent polling shows 68% of Americans support a cease-fire in Gaza, as do numerous human rights, racial justice and faith-based organizations; labor unions; international relief agencies; heads of state; historians; and the United Nations Security Council.
Yet U.S. Rep. Sean Casten, in his recent op-ed (“A cease-fire between Israel, Hamas has to come with accountability,” Dec. 22), contends a permanent cease-fire requires “two fully independent and peaceful states between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea” (Dec. 22). Arguably, an immediate cease-fire is a necessary pathway to transform decadeslong “conflict management” into lasting peace and security.
Israel’s 56-year military occupation in the West Bank and Gaza has been neither peaceful nor amenable to Palestinian statehood, as was promised in the 1993 Oslo Accords. What followed was endless conflict and diplomatic dead ends, continuous settlement expansion, land confiscation, settler violence and population transfer.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu recently threatened his war will continue for as long as it takes. Israel has killed more than 20,000 Palestinians, according to health officials; injured tens of thousands more buried thousands under the rubble; and displaced 2 million civilians. How much more intense, indiscriminate, disproportionate air, land, and sea bombardment will it take?
Today, Gazans are facing catastrophic famine with Israel allowing only a trickle of humanitarian aid. Seasonal rains, flooding, and a lack of sanitation, clean water and shelter are spreading infectious diseases. Israel’s military actions are exacerbating suffering and jeopardizing the fate of civilians and hostages alike.
It’s impossible to eliminate Hamas or its ideology with war. Israel’s two and a half months of bombardment have only spawned more radicalization. It’s imperative to act on the underlying cause of hostilities — the systematic oppression of Palestinians.
Once, American leadership prioritized holding the world together with a rules-based international order. Today, our diplomatic cover, vetoes of United Nations resolutions and unconditional arms shipments to Israel keep us isolated, out of step with the world and complicit in Israel’s war crimes.
As Israel’s closest ally, our elected officials must stop halfheartedly managing the conflict and insist on an immediate cease-fire and lifting of the blockade.
Crucially, President Joe Biden must convene an international conference to establish a secular state based on pre-1967 borders with Palestinian sovereignty, equal rights for all and the right of return.
Every crisis is an opportunity. Will the U.S. accept this opportunity to bring lasting peace and security to the region?
— Linda Kateeb, Orland Hills
Nature a good prescription
Thank you for the important and timely article “Creating a community to tackle growing climate anxiety” (Dec. 28).
As a climate psychiatry activist for almost 17 years and a native Chicagoan now living nearby, I’ve seen our climate-related anxiety escalate. One way to help that before seeing a psychotherapist is the climate cafes discussed. However, one modality that isn’t mentioned is easy and free, even in the winter.
Just getting out in nature, when the weather and health permit, can be therapeutic for those of any age or culture, whether done in a group or alone. That can include a walk, bird-watching or what is called forest bathing, among other opportunities.
Getting out in nature more would be a good mental health resolution for 2024. I prescribe it whenever I can.
— H. Steven Moffic, Milwaukee
Forest preserves are a gem
Good article on Cook County forest preserves (“Forest Preserves burning and buying with new cash,” Dec. 26). The Forest Preserve District of Cook County (as well as DuPage, Kane, Lake and Will counties) is a good steward of our natural resources as well as our taxes. I frequently use the forest preserves for hiking, paddling, cross-country skiing and biking.
Arnold Randall has done a good job as superintendent, and I hope his successor continues his work.
The reform from a patronage-prone organization began with Steve Bylina as superintendent in 2003. He took an organization that was in debt to having a surplus. He wanted his employees to be people-friendly and nature-friendly.
That has continued under Randall and improved in some aspects.
I wish all government agencies could follow the fine example of the Cook County Forest Preserve District.
— Don Mueggenborg, Lemont
Matching trees to need
Regarding the article “Chicago has planted about 23,000 trees in 2023″ (Dec. 25): While it is nice that 8,600 of the new trees went “to neighborhoods that need them the most,” that is only 37% of those planted. It would be nicer to learn why these neighborhoods did not receive a much greater percentage of trees. Where did the other 63% go? Were they replacement trees?
A little more information would go a long way toward a more important story.
— Mark Dubin, Buffalo Grove
Wish list for the new year
On the top end, my 2024 wish list reads like many others: world peace, proper migrant housing, reconciliation between America’s left and right wings, Chicago political reforms, and cancer and dementia treatment breakthroughs.
Less seriously, though, I personally submit the following hoped-for developments. Some sound quirky, but then many current cultural norms were initially received with scorn or amusement. Consider the TV remote control, drive-thru window and electric toothbrush.
• An app that retrieves unread emails you’ve sent that you’d like to delete or edit. Who among the computer literate hasn’t regretted firing off an angry or hastily written note?
• A return to the societal standard that had us speaking little about religion and politics. Or failing that, liberal and conservative seating sections in restaurants. This would limit overhearing of nearby conversations you object to and suffering indigestion.
• Processed food packages that ping in the back of the refrigerator when they reach the freshness date.
Chicago Tribune Opinion
• Biodegradable outdoor holiday decorations that disintegrate after a month, sparing homeowners the trouble of taking them down.
• In our nation on wheels, technology to disconnect cellphone calls within vehicles in motion. And built into every self-driving car, an additional cluster of automotive “selfies”: self-activating turn signals, self-cleaning interiors, self-repairing exterior dings and self-rotating tires.
Happy motoring in ’24.
— Tom Gregg, Niles
Join the conversation in our Letters to the Editor Facebook group.
Submit a letter, of no more than 400 words, to the editor here or email letters@chicagotribune.com.