As Pope Francis states, Israel has right to 'exist in safety'

Mr. Bob Trumbo should be reminded how lucky he is to be living in a country that defends and supports freedom of speech, a country that defends the basic principles of freedom, peace, and liberty for all (Letters, "Two fateful events crushing greatest governance ever," Oct. 24).

I am not taking issue with his:

1. "Establishing the Federal Reserve 1913."

It is true that the Federal Reserve had its lows and highs over the past 100 years and depending whose report one reads the Federal Reserve has tried guiding the finances of this country under very difficult world economies.

2. "Establishing the State of Israel."

Mr. Trumbo states that he "is listing the most devastating events of the 20th century." It would be of interest to remind Mr. Trumbo to check the historical facts regarding Israel. "Freedom and liberty for all." For those who were persecuted and were lucky to have come out of World War II alive, like my family and myself, being a Holocaust survivor, thank you USA and the U.N. for those who voted to have created the State of Israel.

Just to remind Mr. Trumbo of Pope Francis' quote celebrating the 50th anniversary of Nostra Aetate: Does Mr. Trumbo know what this 60,000-plus page document really clarifies? Maybe he should, if he has not, elucidate himself:

"To attack Jews is anti-Semitism, but an outright attack on the State of Israel is also anti-Semitism. There may be political disagreements between governments and on political issues, but the State of Israel has every right to exist in safety and prosperity."

-- Pope Francis, who celebrated the 50th anniversary of Nostra Aetate last week.

Pieter G. Kohnstam

Venice

This story was originally published November 5, 2015 at 12:00 AM with the headline "As Pope Francis states, Israel has right to 'exist in safety' ."