https://jinsa.org/open-letter-from-retired-us-military-leaders-in-support-of-israel/

                                                                                                  May 10, 2024

 Given our experience as retired American military leaders, we are very concerned about the security impacts of increasingly strained U.S.-Israel ties as Israel becomes a growing source of domestic division. We therefore feel compelled to declare that a strong Israel is vital to the United States national security, and it is imperative that America unequivocally stand by this indispensable ally.

 Amid surging antisemitism in America and the world, following the largest one-day loss of innocent Jewish life since the Holocaust, U.S. support for the only Jewish state should be clear, unwavering, and not conditioned. The benefits of this partnership for the American people and this important region are many, and too valuable, to forsake.

 America must support Israel as it restores its security, shattered on October 7, against Iran and its terrorist proxies in Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, and Yemen that all seek to destroy the Jewish state. These forces are also enemies of the United States and everything we stand for. This Iranian-backed axis of terror, as well as other adversaries and allies around the world, are watching closely to see whether the United States will stand by one of its closest allies fighting in self-defense, even when the going gets tough

 Against these barbaric enemies, Israel stands on the front lines of the fight for civilization, the lone stable, democratic American ally in a critical, yet tumultuous, region. Israel is a visceral part of the West with its liberal democracy, ethnically diverse population, and support for individual rights. Even in facing adversaries who respect neither the laws of war nor human life, we believe Israel has fought in accordance with the laws of armed conflict.

 Outside the United States, Israel arguably has the most innovative economy in the world. It is a leader in nearly all the key technologies that will determine whether the global balance of power in the 21st-century continues to favor U.S.-led forces of freedom and democracy. 

Israel also has one of the most capable militaries and intelligence services in the world, to America’s benefit. Our militaries work hand in glove, sharing intelligence and military lessons, and co-developing cutting-edge defense technologies. More than any other American ally, Israel has always sought to defend itself by itself. Still, U.S. forces recently helped defend Israel against an Iranian onslaught. Israel’s military and intelligence services have also often protected U.S. soldiers and citizens and provided critical intelligence. 

Israel has traditionally been the source of overwhelming bipartisan support. So it should remain. We can disagree, as all allies do, but signs of public division only embolden the forces of violence, instability, and extremism that threaten both America and Israel. When we stand together, however, peace and regional stability become possible.

 In these challenging times, we reaffirm our friendship and bond with the State of Israel—and urge all Americans to stand by our close friend and partner. 

 Gen Frank McKenzie, USMC (ret.), Commander, U.S. Central Command, Gen Kevin P. Chilton, USAF (ret.), Commander, U.S. Strategic Command, ADM Timothy J. Keating, USN (ret.), Commander, U.S. Pacific Command,GEN David M. Rodriguez, USA (ret.), Commander, United States Africa Command, GEN Walter L. “Skip” Sharp, USA (ret.), Commander, United Nations Command, ROK-United States Combined Forces Command, and United States Forces Korea, GEN James D. Thurman, USA (ret.), Commander, United Nations Command, ROK-United States Combined Forces Command, and United States Forces Korea, Gen James Conway, USMC (ret.), 34th Commandant of the United States Marine Corps, ADM Edmund P. Giambastiani, Jr., USN (ret.), Vice Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff, GEN Frank J. Grass, USA (ret.), 27th Chief of the National Guard Bureau, ADM Jonathan W. Greenert, USN (ret.), 30th Chief of Naval Operations, Gen Robert Neller, USMC (ret.), 37th Commandant of the United States Marine Corps, ADM Paul Zukunft, USCG (ret.), 25th Commandant of the United States Coast Guard, Gen William Begert, USAF (ret.), Commander, Pacific Air Forces, and Air Component Commander for the Commander, U.S. Pacific Command, ADM Bruce Clingan, USN (ret.), Commander, U.S. Naval Forces, Europe/Commander, U.S. Naval Forces, Africa/ Commander, Allied Joint Forces Command, Naples, Gen Donald G. Cook, USAF (ret.), Commander, Air Education and Training Command, ADM Mark Fitzgerald, USN (ret.), Commander, U.S. Naval Forces, Europe/Commander, U.S. Naval Forces, Africa/ Commander, Allied Joint Forces Command, Naples, Gen Gilmary Michael Hostage III, USAF (ret.), Commander, Air Combat Command, ADM Jerome L. Johnson, USN (ret.), Vice Chief of Naval Operations, Gen Duncan J. McNabb, USAF (ret.), Commander, U.S. Transportation Command, Gen W.L. Nyland, USMC (ret.), Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps, Gen Charles Wald, USAF (ret.), Deputy Commander of United States European Command (EUCOM), Lt Gen Marcus Anderson, USAF (ret.), Air Force Inspector General, VADM John Bird, USN (ret.), Commander, U.S. 7th Fleet LtGen Arthur Blades, USMC (ret.), Deputy Chief of Staff for Plans, Policies and Operations, LTG H. Steven Blum, USA (ret.), Deputy Commander, U.S. Northern Command ,Lt Gen Richard “Tex” Brown, USAF (ret.), Assistant Vice Chief of Staff, USAF, Lt Gen Walter E. Buchanan, USAF (ret.), Commander, 9th Air Force and U.S. Central Command Air Forces, LtGen Ronald Christmas, USMC (ret.), Deputy Chief of Staff for Manpower & Reserve Affairs, VADM Michael J. Connor, USN (ret.), Commander, United States Submarine Forces, VADM Bob Conway, USN (ret.), Commander, Navy Installations Command, LtGen Jon M. Davis, USMC (ret.), Deputy Commandant Marine Corps Aviation (HQMC) Pentagon, Lt Gen David Deptula, USAF (ret.), Deputy Chief of Staff for Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance, Headquarters Air Force, Lt Gen Eric Fiel, USAF (ret.), Commander, Air Force Special Operations Command, VADM Jeffrey Fowler, USN (ret.), 60th Superintendent, U.S. Naval Academy, VADM Mark I. Fox, USN (ret.), Deputy Commander, United States Central Command, LTG David Fridovich, USA (ret.), Deputy Commander, U.S. Special Operations Command-USSOCOM, LtGen Kenneth Glueck, Jr., USMC (ret.), Deputy Commandant, Combat Development and Integration; Commanding General, Marine Corps Combat Development Command, Lt Gen Mike Gould, USAF (ret.), 18th Superintendent, USAF Academy, Lt Gen Joseph Guastella, USAF (ret.), Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, LtGen Earl Hailston, USMC (ret.), Commander, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Pacific/Commander, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Central Command, VADM Dennis Jones, USN (ret.), Deputy Commander in Chief, U.S. Strategic Command, LTG Kevin Mangum, USA (ret.), Deputy Commander, U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command, Lt Gen Charles May, USAF (ret.), Vice Chief of Staff VADM John W. Miller, USN (ret.), Commander, United States Fifth Fleet, Lt Gen C.D. Moore II, USAF (ret.), Commander, Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, LtGen Richard F. Natonski, USMC (ret.), Commander of U.S. Marine Corps Forces Command, Lt Gen Chris Nowland, USAF (ret.), Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Lt Gen Tad Oelstrom, USAF (ret.), Special Assistant to the Commander Air Force Space, LTG Raymond Palumbo, USA (ret.), Director for Defense Intelligence, LtGen Frank Panter, USMC (ret.), Deputy Commandant for Installations and Logistics, Headquarters Marine Corps, Lt Gen Mark D. Shackelford, USAF (ret.), Military Deputy, Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition, LTG Thomas W. Spoehr, USA (ret.), Director, Office of Business Transformation, Headquarters, Department of the Army, VADM Sandy Stosz, USCG (ret.), Deputy Commandant for Mission Support,LTG Guy Swan, USA (ret.), Commanding General of U.S. Army North/Fifth Army LTG Jeffrey W. Talley, USA (ret.), 32nd Chief of Army Reserve and Commanding General of the U.S. Army Reserve Command, Lt Gen Thomas J. Trask, USAF (ret.), Vice Commander, United States Special Operations Command, LtGen George J. Trautman, III, USMC (ret.), Deputy Commandant for Aviation of the United States Marine Corps, LTG Keith C. Walker, USA (ret.), Director, Army Capabilities Integration Center, RADM Garry Bonelli, USN (ret.), Deputy Commander, Navy Special Warfare Command, Maj Gen Jack J. Catton, Jr., USAF (ret.), Director of Requirements, Headquarters Air Combat Command, MajGen Jon Gallinetti, USMC (ret.), Deputy Commander of Marine Forces Command, MajGen Donald R. Gardner, USMC (ret.),Commander, III Marine Expeditionary Force and Commander, 3rd Marine Division, Maj Gen Kenneth Israel, USAF (ret.), Assistant Deputy Undersecretary of Defense for Airborne Reconnaissance, and Director of the Defense Airborne Reconnaissance Office, RADM Steven Kantrowitz, USN (ret.), Office of the Judge Advocate General RADM Mary E. Landry, USCG (ret.), Commander, Eighth Coast Guard District, RADM Brian L. Losey, USN (ret.), Commander, Naval Special Warfare Command, MajGen Bradley Mark Lott, USMC (ret.), Deputy Commanding General, Marine Corps Combat Development Command, MajGen Jarvis Lynch, USMC (ret.), Commander, Eastern Marine Recruiting Depot, RADM Edward Masso, USNR (ret.), Commander, Navy Personnel Command/Deputy Chief of Naval Personnel, RADM Terry McKnight, USN (ret.), Commander, Expeditionary Strike Group 2, RADM William F. Merlin, USCG (ret.), Commander, Eighth Coast Guard District, RADM Mark Milliken, USN (ret.), Director, Navy International Programs Office, MG William C. Moore, USA (ret.), Director for Operations, Headquarters, MajGen Dave Richwine, USMC (ret.), Headquarters, USMC, Chief Information Officer and Director of Intelligence, RADM Scott Sanders, USN (ret.), Deputy Director for Reserves, J7, Joint Staff Maj Gen Lawrence Stutzriem, USAF (ret.), Director, Plans, Policy, and Strategy, North American Aerospace Defense Command and U.S. Northern Command, RADM Jeremy D. Taylor, USN (ret.), Director Naval Aviation Plans and Requirements, Staff of CNO, MajGen Larry Taylor USMCR (ret.), Commanding General, 4th Marine Aircraft Wing, MajGen Kenneth W. Weir, USMCR (ret.), Commanding General 4th Marine Air Wing, BGen Michael Mulqueen, USMC (ret.), The United States 

Military Entrance Processing Command

 Letter to President of Brown University and to Board of Trustees

 Dear President Paxton,                                                   May 1, 2024

I was dismayed to read that Brown University had caved to protesters demands that Brown University vote on divesting from companies that do business with Israel. This action lends credibility to the lies that the protests have spread about Israel and underscores the lack of moral clarity and leadership that you as president and the trustees have shown. The protests are designed to make Israel indefensible- both militarily and morally. While I fully expect that the trustees will not vote for disinvestment, just saying that you would consider such a move is reprehensible.

Before the vote is taken, I suggest the university insist that the students show good faith in asking for disinvestment by turning in their cell phones to the university administration since all of them work on chips designed in Israel.

Ashamed of my alma mater,

Carol Greenwald,

Trustee emeriti

cc. Board of trustees and emeriti

 https://www.nytimes.com/2024/05/03/business/sterlicht-brown-university-donor.html

Rob Copeland

The real estate mogul Barry Sternlicht’s scathing criticism of his alma mater is the most immediate blowback against the school’s deal to end protests on campus.

Barry Sternlicht said he had donated more than $20 million to Brown but would not give more for now. 

One of Brown University’s major donors, the billionaire real estate mogul Barry Sternlicht, on Friday sharply criticized the school’s agreement to hold a board vote on cutting investments tied to Israel, calling it “unconscionable” and saying he had “paused” donations to the school.

Brown is among a small number of universities that have agreed to discuss their investments in companies that do business in Israel, in order to persuade student protesters to dismantle encampments. Mr. Sternlicht, in a scathing email to The New York Times, which he copied to Brown’s president, Christina H. Paxson, said the arrangement amounted to sympathy for Hamas, which attacked Israel in October, and described students protesting Israel’s actions in Gaza as “ignorant.”

“There should never be a vote when people do not have the facts,” he wrote. “It’s not education, it’s propaganda.”

Mr. Sternlicht, 63, said no deal with protesters could be fruitful because the two sides did not agree on “facts and moral clarity,” as well as the scale of Israel’s invasion of Gaza after Hamas’s Oct. 7 attack, in which about 1,200 were killed and another 250 were taken hostage. Israel’s subsequent intense bombardment of the tightly packed area has left more than 34,000 dead and drawn international condemnation.

He cited the hundreds of thousands of civilians killed in wars in Ukraine, Syria, Afghanistan, and Iraq, asking: “Where were the protests?”

Sign up for the Israel-Hamas War Briefing.  The latest news about the conflict.

“As far as wars go, Israel has been quite muted,” Mr. Sternlicht wrote.

The blowback from Mr. Sternlicht, who has described himself as a political independent and whose name is on a Brown residence hall, shows how quickly the issue of divestment from Israel may vex universities. Until a week ago, even discussing the subject was widely considered a nonstarter, as it was sure to divide a large swath of students and faculty from many of the businesspeople whose donations fill university endowments. 

 Submitted to Epoch Times via their website -
Regarding “UN Demands Probe of Mass Graves Found at 2 Gaza Hospitals” -
https://print.theepochtimes.com/shared/article/un-demands-probe-of-mass-graves-found-at-2-gaza-hospitals/9ecatDHT
“Hospitals are entitled to very special protection under international humanitarian law” –
Correct, so why did Hamas use the hospitals to store weapons, use the hospitals as their headquarters, build tunnels underneath the hospitals?
Why did Hamas use doctors, nurses and patients as human shields?
Ed Kohl

Submitted to WSJ on May 2, 2024

 "As a Brown graduate and Brown trustee emeriti, I was dismayed to read that Brown University had caved to protesters' demands that Brown University vote on disinvesting from companies that do business with Israel.  ( " Negotiate? Call in the Police? University Presidents Try Range of Tactics as Protests Roil Campuses", May 1, 2024) This action lends credibility to the lies that the protests have spread about Israel and underscores the lack of moral clarity and leadership that Brown President  Paxton and the trustees have shown. The protests and disinvestment campaigns are designed to make Israel indefensible- both militarily and morally. While I fully expect that the trustees will not vote for disinvestment, just saying that  Brown would consider such a move is reprehensible.

Before the vote is taken by the Trustees, I suggest the university insist that  the students show good faith in asking for disinvestment by turning in their cell phones to the university administration since all of them work on chips designed in Israel. 

Ashamed of my alma mater,

Carol Greenwald,

Brown class of '65 and Trustee emeriti

Chevy Chase, MD 20815 

Submitted to WSJ, April 26, 2024

Regarding “U.S. Begins Building Pier To Ease Food Crisis in Gaza” by Nancy Youssef and Omar Abdel-Baqui –
"Remember October 7 when these same Gazans were accessories to the pogrom?
Remember these same Gazans cheered the slaughter?
Remember these same Gazans followed the initial wave of rapists, child beheaders, baby broilers in ovens?
Remember these same Gazans demand more October 7 massacres and we are feeding them?
Did we feed the Nazis? Did we feed the Imperial Japanese?
NO! we demanded their surrender first.
Why are we feeding terror, so they can repeat their savagery?
Rather than feeding terror, we must demand surrender first.

Ed Kohl

Submitted to WSJ, April 30, 2024

Regarding "Authorities in Gaza Lose count of Dead" by Margherita Stancati and Abeer Ayyoub-

" The Gazans are not victims.
Just like the Germans and the Japanese who started the wars they deservedly suffered massive casualties in, the Gazans are suffering casualties of their own making.

The Gazans are not victims.
On October 7 the Gazans contributed to, encouraged and invaded Israel behind the initial wave of savages that burned alive Jewish families, broiled Jewish babies in ovens, raped hundreds of women and girls before murdering them with gunshots through their vaginas, machine gunned, raped and burned alive young concert goers in cars.
Everyone a war crime that they cause by their brutality.

The Gazans are not victims.
The Gazans kidnapped hostages (a war crime), continue to hold the hostages while depriving the hostages of medicine and food while sexually abusing them.

The Gazans are not the victims and until the Gazans surrender, they must “Lose Count of Dead” they cause by using human shields and not surrendering.

The “Authorities in Gaza Lose Count of Dead” because they are responsible for their dead until they surrender.

Why is the Wall Street Journal grieving for the perpetrators of the October 7 pogrom?"

Regards & Am Yisrael Chai עַם יִשְׂרָאֵל ח
Ed Kohl