Letters to the Editor | April 18, 2024

The United States did the right thing in assisting in the defense of Israel during the missile and drone attack by Iran. But I also agree with President Joe Biden when he told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in an effort to contain tensions, that the U.S. would not participate in any retaliatory offensive action against Iran. Sen. John Fetterman appeared on CNN’s State of the Union and suggested that to be a “fringe” position. I find that statement to be thoughtless. Netanyahu created this situation by striking an Iranian Consulate compound in Damascus, Syria, a type of place that is traditionally exempt from hostile action. It was calculated to provoke a response, and he got it. Now he needs to control himself from escalating tensions any further. The U.S. should not get into a shooting war with Iran to protect Netanyahu’s personal political calculus.

Bill Maginnis, North Wales

It’s disgraceful that baseless accusations of antisemitism threaten the confirmation of Adeel Mangi to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. As Timothy K. Lewis wrote in a recent op-ed, “This is anti-Muslim bias, plain and simple.” Lewis recounts that 1992 was a time of respect and bipartisanship when the Senate voted unanimously to confirm him to the Third Circuit. As an African American, Lewis brought much-needed diversity to the federal bench.

Likewise, Mangi has excellent qualifications, a praiseworthy judicial temperament, and a stellar reputation. He is a champion of civil rights and religious freedom. And he, too, would bring welcome diversity to the bench: the first Muslim American in history to serve as a federal appellate court judge. As a member of the National Council of Jewish Women, I know that it’s the job of our senators to confirm federal judges who are qualified, fair, independent, and diverse. We need judges with a variety of life experiences and perspectives, an innate recognition that we are all equal under the law. After all, our federal judges make decisions that affect every aspect of our lives. Mangi doesn’t deserve the outrageous, vicious, Islamophobic attacks he has been receiving for months. Mangi — an ally of the Jewish community and a proud Pakistani American — deserves a seat on the Philly-based federal court that serves our region.

Eleanor Levie, Philadelphia

I was surprised to read in Solomon Jones’ recent column that he believes the Eid al-Fitr shooting is a symptom of America’s crisis of faith. I assume that Jones has heard the platitudes after each mass shooting that thoughts and prayers are what will help to avoid another one of these horrific episodes. But they never do. In this instance (and other recent ones in Philadelphia), we had individuals, barely out of childhood, with grudges and, most importantly, with guns.

Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel, who seems to really understand why these kids are hopeless, despondent, and angry, has not yet addressed the issue that they are also all armed. Our city is overflowing with guns, and every young person, neighbor, homeowner, criminal, and grandmother has access to one. We have a lot of issues that need to be addressed: education, jobs, homelessness, addiction, food insecurity, racism, and, yes, faith. I am hopeful that Mayor Cherelle L. Parker’s initiatives will help, but let’s not kid ourselves. As long as the youth of Philadelphia who feel powerless and hopeless are carrying weapons, we are victims, and so are they. Let’s get the guns off the streets. I very much respect Jones, but I do not think this is a crisis of faith. It is a crisis of guns.

Marjorie Zahn, Fort Washington

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