Re: “Wing Luke walkout misconstrues ‘Confronting Hate Together’ ” [May 29, Opinion]:
The recurring message in this op-ed inaccurately portrays the words of the Wing Luke walkout organizers as denying Israel or even desiring its erasure. I wish author Nancy Koppelman would understand that advocates for Palestinian liberation, including myself, are not enemies of the Israeli people. Our aim is to seek justice and equality for Palestinians, which requires critically examining Zionism as a form of settler colonialism and supremacy.
With the creation of Israel, Zionists displaced an estimated 700,000 to 750,000 Palestinians and killed approximately 15,000 — a fact seldom acknowledged. The displacement persists today through violent settlers, backed by impunity, and government-sanctioned programs. The severe oppression of Palestinians has been perpetuated through decades of brutal military occupation. Palestinians are treated as an inferior racial group with different levels of discrimination depending on where they live.
These aren’t just Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s policies; they have been a persistent feature of Palestinian lives. The atrocities in Gaza have been a wake-up call, highlighting the urgent need for Koppelman and Zionists to rethink their ideology in a way that upholds the dignity, justice and safety of all people, including Palestinians.
Susana Hernandez, Seattle