Re: “If Israel is accused of genocide, why not Russia?” [Jan. 21, Opinion]:
I agree utterly with columnist Trudy Rubin’s evaluation that by implication each Israel and Russia ought to be charged with genocide. Her description of what Russia is doing to Ukraine applies equally to what Israel is doing to Gaza:
“Meantime, Russia systematically bombs infrastructure — electrical grids, heating models, colleges, hospitals, markets, accommodations, pizza parlors, even blowing up a dam — and leveling entire cities reminiscent of Mariupol. I’ve seen unbelievable horrors with my very own eyes … blasted church buildings, and shredded eating places.”
That is the essential displacement and destruction of a folks and tradition, and on this sense each Israel and Russia are culpable outliers in opposition to the frequent reason for peace. In each circumstances it’s a ethical and mortal crime in opposition to humanity.
Michael Magee, Tacoma
