Readers sound off on Shireen Abu Akleh, Medicare Advantage push and Trump’s cases

Brooklyn: Over a year has passed since the tragic killing of my cousin, Shireen Abu Akleh. She lived in the West Bank. We were worlds apart. While I didn’t know her well, I had such pride when I watched her deliver the news on Al Jazeera.

Her death and subsequent events at her funeral were painful to watch and still affect me. For such a prominent media figure to be killed in broad daylight with no repercussions — while wearing a “PRESS” vest and pre-coordinating her position with the Israel Defense Forces — compels me to speak out. The Israeli-Palestinian conflict has taken so many souls on both sides, and I do not seek to wander into the hornet’s nest that accompanies that debate. While all the evidence points to Shireen’s killer being an IDF soldier, I could care less what their country’s name is. I just want the killer held accountable.

Shireen was an American citizen dedicated to two things: the pursuit of justice and her love of God. The Akleh family originated in Haifa and Nazareth, a Greek Orthodox Christian family devout in their following of Christ. The Aklehs have been successful wherever we have ventured, in Israel and abroad. Good people like Shireen do not deserve what befell her. On May 12, the IDF apologized for her death but did not charge anyone for killing her. The same IDF had blamed Palestinian resistance forces for her death, then recanted — then attacked the pallbearers carrying her casket. The apology rings hollow.

The Biden administration must declassify its report on her killing. For far too long, we have allowed politics to dictate our motives in this region instead of doing what is right. Shireen was a woman who was a trailblazer journalist in the Middle East. She has inspired a generation of future female journalists. This is not a geopolitical debate. This is about achieving justice for Shireen. Robert Akleh

Plainview, L.I.: Regarding Voicer Barry Hantman’s reply to “Hiroshima and the Bomb, then and now” (op-ed, May 20): Thank you for countering that professor with a truthful, rational and cogent defense for the necessity of those two bombings. And yes, I heartily agree that it was horrific, as would most sane people. So where do we go from here? It’s high time to get back to teaching real history instead of the revisionist tripe that’s being imposed on our children/young adults in the schools of today by many so-called professionals who, in their opinion, know better than those with a firsthand account of those extremely troubling and harrowingly frightful times. John Cilento

Richmond Hill: With all the pot stores pumping drugs into the city, is anyone seeing if our kids are helping themselves to the adult candy? If they can find hidden guns, mom’s stash will be easy. Robert Clolery

Edgewater, N.J.: If congestion pricing is implemented, those who live and travel within the congestion zone who opt for private rides instead of the abundant transit options available should pay through the nose. For others entering the zone by day, it’s a regressive tax, especially for those living in transit deserts, but it will hardly change commuters’ current habits. And for those entering at night, either to entertain or be entertained in the glittering and overpriced theaters and restaurants, there is severely curtailed service as these folks try to get home at 11 p.m. and later. A trip out of the zone after a workday might take under an hour but, after a night out, can easily extend to two. This pain is felt by those living as near to the zone as Astoria and Harlem. Accordingly, suspend congestion pricing after 5 p.m. Jay K. Egelberg

The Daily News Flash

Weekdays

Catch up on the day’s top five stories every weekday afternoon.

Delray Beach, Fla.: So now NYC has become such a cesspool that poor, innocent dogs are being stabbed (“Pit bull is stabbed to death in Central Park,” June 19). What kind of lowlife stabs an innocent dog, then runs away like nothing happened? Of course we feel sorry for the owner of the poor dog, but not for NYC. You had the chance to vote out Gov. Hochul and yet you reelected her. Nobody wants to admit that crime is out of control and the criminals run the city. I came to visit for Father’s Day weekend and can’t wait to leave. Manny Agostini

Forest Hills: In response to your page 3 article (“Adams puts foot down,” June 16) concerning the ongoing battle between 250,000 retired municipal workers, including teachers, police officers and other city workers, and a callous administration headed by our Mayor Adams, who just used executive authority to enact a controversial Medicare Advantage plan for them: He did this over the objections of the comptroller, Brad Lander, who refused to endorse the private health insurance switchover. This action by Adams is appalling and just shows how he and many others have abandoned promises made to these tireless employees of the city when they were hired. I am a retired teacher and applaud the efforts of Marianna Pizzitola, a retired FDNY EMT who leads the organization fighting back against this forced entry into a managed care program. Let the force be with us as we pursue our lawsuit against the city! Ron Gersh

Massapequa, L.I.: Mayor Adams has ordered 250,000 retirees to switch from Medicare to Aetna as of Sept. 1. Balance your budget on the backs of retirees who gave their all for the city? I don’t think so. This is not fair. Change the rules after the game has started? Not what we signed up for. Balance your budget somewhere else. Hopefully, we will win in court again. It can’t be allowed! Thirty-eight years with the Department of Sanitation and we are treated like garbage in our golden years. He’s running the city into the ground. See you in court, Mr. Mayor. Peg Vasselman

White Plains, N.Y.: So Bernard Kerik thinks we live in a Third World country because the orange flimflam man has been indicted — again. As a former police commissioner, he should know firsthand that no one is above the law. Maybe he is hoping to get an appointed position if Bone Spurs were to be reelected. News flash, Bernie: You would have a much better chance for employment if you applied for work with the MyPillow idiot! Steve Howell

Bronx: To Voicer Brad Morris: How many classified documents were found in Joe Biden’s and Mike Pence’s possession and what did they do about it compared to the number of documents found in Donald Trump’s possession and what he did about it? As for Hillary Clinton, Trump was president for four years, why didn’t his Justice Department prosecute her? W. Twirley

Utica, N.Y.: So let me understand. Westchester District Attorney Mimi Rocah has shut down her case against Trump because it was deemed to be duplicative and would be incorporated into the larger case of New York State Attorney General Letitia James? Now James says that her case will be “adjourned” until the federal case of Special Counsel Jack Smith is resolved — a case that is being overseen by a judge who has already demonstrated that she thinks Trump can do no wrong? It’s no wonder Trump seems never to worry about facing the consequences of his actions. Why do the gods keep smiling on this lying grifter? Why do we keep enabling this guy? Jeff Ganeles

Staten Island: To Voicer Dennis Middlebrooks: The border people are working their butts off and vetting everyone. If someone has a legitimate fear — again, after the United States destroyed Central America — of the now-prevalent gang warfare and constant fear of death in their home countries, they are vetted and allowed to enter. About 10% disappear, nowhere near what you claim. And I love how you neglect my 1690 immigrant ancestor. Maybe learn why your ancestor came here and recognize these current immigrants have a similar pressing problem to escape. Kindness and decency are pretty simple things, Dennis. Hate takes too much energy. Take care and seek fact-based reporting. Tom McGuire