Redirect racism claim

Larry J. Kuznetz is right that racist comments are not helpful in the debate of the Mideast (Letters, Aug. 21), but he is wrong in his letter about the source of those comments. Also, talking about sources, it is advisable to read a wider array of sources regarding Israeli policies toward its citizens, not just right-leaning sources which tend to disregard human rights of the powerless.

Much news and discussion of the Mideast take place in Israel and Europe and thus does not necessarily reach mainstream U.S. readers. It seems that they have not reached Mr. Kuznetz yet either; otherwise he would be dismayed at the overreaches of powers against minorities and the voiceless in the region, often with the aid of the USA.

And no matter how much people in coffee houses debate religious control of policies, Israel cannot be a truly democratic state if there is no separation of church and state. Neither can the USA be. That leads to exclusion and racist policies. I wonder who is truly the supporter of racist policies here.

Ildiko Kalapacs

Spokane