Letters to the Editor

Schumer & The ICC: Another Betrayal of Israel

Dear Editor:

The International Criminal Court (ICC), a politicized foreign tribunal, continues its crusade against Israel and threatens U.S. sovereignty, yet Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer seems unwilling to confront it. Despite claiming to be pro-Israel, Schumer has repeatedly shielded the ICC’s persecutors from sanctions.

In 2020, Schumer famously warned Supreme Court justices, “You have released the whirlwind, and you will pay the price.” But when it comes to the ICC—a body that endangers Israeli leaders and even U.S. soldiers abroad—Schumer has shown no such resolve.

The ICC’s track record speaks for itself. It revived an investigation into U.S. actions in Afghanistan after President Biden reversed Trump-era sanctions. Emboldened, the ICC has now escalated its efforts against Israel, pursuing arrest warrants for Israeli leaders under the guise of “justice.” As Rep. Ritchie Torres (D-NY) aptly noted, “The ICC has set a precedent for criminalizing self-defense,” targeting nations that defend themselves against enemies using human shields.

Last week, the House passed a bipartisan sanctions bill to counter the ICC’s overreach, with support from 45 Democrats. The bill imposes visa bans and asset freezes on ICC officials targeting Americans or citizens of non-signatory allies, including Israel. Yet when the measure reached the Senate, Schumer blocked it indefinitely, paving the way for the ICC to escalate its actions post-U.S. elections.

Senate Republicans are now pressing for a vote, calling on Democrats to join them in resisting the ICC’s unlawful reach. This puts pro-Israel Democrats, including Sens. Kirsten Gillibrand, Jacky Rosen, Mark Kelly, and others, in the spotlight. Will they act decisively or continue to equivocate?

The House sanctions bill, already a bipartisan effort, stops short of sanctioning the ICC as an institution or its financial enablers. Yet even this moderate approach faces resistance from Democrats, who seem more inclined to protect international institutions—even anti-American ones—than to safeguard U.S. and Israeli citizens.

The time for negotiation has long passed. If Schumer and his Democratic colleagues fail to act, they will be complicit in leaving Americans and Israelis vulnerable to the whims of an unaccountable international body. For all his rhetoric, Schumer’s true test lies in whether he will finally stand up to the ICC—or continue to turn a blind eye.

The stakes couldn’t be higher, and the time for action is now

Sincerely,
Jane Zakharova
Brooklyn, NY

Recounting the Witch Hunt Against Trump

Dear Editor,

Despite the American people being barely two months after a historic election that has redefined the political landscape for a generation, vital events about the past four years are being dismissed. Four years ago, the media and the establishment tarred Donald Trump and his movement with allegations about January 6th, COVID-19, and the 2020 election. Their allegations were false and exaggerated but were stated out of a sense of hate to disqualify Trump and his movement from legitimacy. Months of endless propaganda on news stations and social media weren’t enough however, as censorship became the next weapon they would activate. Their first step was banning Donald Trump from talking to his 90 million supporters on Twitter, then they created rules against conservatives with a risk of being suspended from the site. MAGA was on retreat, but the other side was only beginning their wave of persecution.

Next, they got district attorneys to investigate Trump and his political allies for “crimes”. Coincidentally, criminal indictments started pouring into the headlines. First, they locked up former Trump White House advisors Steve Bannon and Peter Navarro, then they indicted dozens of associates of Trump for promoting the MAGA movement. Then they used January 6th as an excuse to lock up hundreds of innocent people who had a connection with that day, while labeling MAGA supporters as “domestic terrorists.” The prosecutors claimed they released these indictments because “no one is above the law”, while willfully ignoring the crimes of murderers, robbers, and druggies looting the streets of cities and communities. Criminal justice meant to them that crime was legal, but supporting Trump wasn’t. The story of these political witch hunts don’t end there, however, because they finally launched the movement to take down the man himself.

It was April of 2023 when phones around the world buzzed with the notification, “Former President Donald Trump indicted by a NYC Grand Jury.” “It is over for Donald Trump and the MAGA movement,” the other side declared with gleeful hatred. “The man responsible for January 6th has had justice finally been brought to him”, they lectured for months on end. Coincidentally, three more criminal indictments were handed down to Trump months apart from each other. Of course, to the rational person, these indictments had nothing to do with justice; it was banana-republic business. But the other side needed reasonable people to be convinced otherwise, so they dragged Trump down to Atlanta, took his mugshot like a murderer once would have gotten, and labeled him a “convicted felon.” Simultaneously, other upstanding prosecutors fined Trump hundreds of millions of dollars for made-up laws all in the name of defeating Orange Hitler! The legal cases weren’t working, however, as Donald Trump surged in the polls. Consequently, the other side had no choice but for the sake of democracy, to resort to the only remaining solution: assassination.

Sincerely,
Donny Simcha Guttman

Embracing the “America First” Doctrine

Dear Editor,

As a proud American, I feel compelled to express my profound admiration for President Donald J. Trump’s transformative leadership as he embarks on his second term. The renewed vigor with which the Trump administration has embraced the “America First” doctrine is nothing short of visionary, redefining our nation’s priorities to benefit its people above all else.

Under President Trump’s leadership, our borders are more secure, our economy is once again roaring, and the American worker is finally receiving the respect and opportunities they deserve. His unapologetic dedication to revitalizing American manufacturing and bringing jobs back to our shores has reinvigorated communities that had long been neglected. The focus on energy independence, championing domestic oil and gas production alongside renewable energy innovation, is a testament to his commitment to securing our future prosperity.

Moreover, President Trump’s foreign policy has been a masterclass in strength and pragmatism. By renegotiating unfair trade deals and holding other nations accountable, he has restored balance to international agreements that once disadvantaged our country. His efforts to foster peace through strength, coupled with his historic accomplishments in the Middle East, underscore his skill in safeguarding American interests while promoting global stability.

Critics may deride his unorthodox methods, but it is precisely this boldness that has reinvigorated our national spirit. He is a leader unafraid to confront entrenched bureaucracies, challenge the status quo, and fight for the forgotten men and women of this great nation.

As Americans, we should take immense pride in the direction our country is headed. President Trump’s unwavering commitment to the principles of sovereignty, strength, and prosperity makes his second term a beacon of hope and possibility for all.

Sincerely
Thomas Merrone
Massapequa, NY