Warren Kennedy in his letter (Echo, 10 September) has the usual rants, such as the common false statement that the Israel-Gaza war started in 1948, not October 7, 2023.
Anyone who knows basic history knows that Muslims started massacring indigenous Jews, just for being Jews, in 1517 (First Safed pogrom Ottoman Palestine) and the massacres against the defenceless Jews continued ever since.
Yes, this current war is against Hamas and any Islamist terrorist bodies that support them in their bloodthirsty obsession with destroying Israel.
All wars are terrible, and lead to shocking loss of precious life. I have seen many wrongs on both sides, and I want the war to end today and have the UN take responsibility for ousting Hamas, and returning the Israeli hostages in Gaza. I believe in full self-determination for both Palestinians and Israelis.
Have you not noticed that I have not responded to letters for some time now, though many of them have been void of facts? You are upset that I thanked Bayla for a letter just because it was more balanced? Seriously?
Peace starts in our community and we are not going to agree on many things, but there is far too much venom and hatred locally and that does not help anyone.
Peace starts here; peace starts now.
For four decades The Echo has printed the stories some people loved, some people hated, and some pretended not to read. If you want us to keep telling the truth, the real truth, not the sugar-coated version. We’ll need your support to keep the presses rolling. 
