July 3, 2026 Editor, The News-Gazette: It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by news about global conflicts, which can seem too far away or complicated for us to solve. One conflict, however, that merits our attention is the genocide being waged by the state of Israel against the Palestinian people.
According to UNICEF, Israeli forces have killed at least 71,000 people in Palestine’s Gaza Strip since 2023, including over 21,000 children, and have damaged or destroyed all of the Strip’s hospitals. This violence is even more alarming when we consider that our taxpayer dollars facilitate it. The U.S. Committee for Palestinian Rights calculates that in 2025 over $330 million of Virginia residents’ federal income taxes were sent to Israel’s military.
Last fall, I posed the following question about our country’s investments in this genocide to Congressman Ben Cline at a local town hall: “Why are our taxes paying for bombs to be dropped on schools and hospitals abroad rather than better funding schools and hospitals at home?” The gist of his answer was that killing a school full of Palestinian children is desirable if it means defeating a single enemy combatant.
While Congressman Cline’s answer raises deep concerns about his moral and fiscal priorities, the response from local communities to the crisis in Palestine has been more inspiring. 50 Ways for Palestine, for example, is hosting a series of “teachins” where attendees can learn about Palestine. Local congregations have incorporated Palestinian refugees into their prayers, demonstrating their commitment to shared faith and human life.
Regardless of your political views or your level of interest in current events, I urge you to consider the following: Does any child deserve to live in fear of violence? Do you want your taxes to perpetuate endless wars? What actions can you take to end the violence in Palestine? CHARLIE MAYOCKBRADLEY Lexington
