The horror and savagery of the terrorism and genocide in the videos coming from Israel are hard to describe in mere words. Most in the US respond with outrage and condemnation. The stark similarities between the Israeli and Ukrainian situations cannot go unnoticed: terrorism, genocide, the targeting of civilians, elderly, woman, and children - just savage killing which the Ukrainians have been suffering for 594 days. Historically, unspeakable similarities include the Holocaust and the Great Ukrainian Famine (aka “Holodomor”), both of which intentionally murdered millions and both tried to remove a people from the earth. There is an important distinction, though. The Israelis were wise enough to concentrate on arming themselves against existential threats. The Ukrainians, however, gave up their nuclear weapons in exchange for written assurances from the US and Russia. Clearly, the writing was just paper. Would Russia have invaded if Ukraine were so armed? I’m sure some will argue around this uncomfortable question. The least the US could do is arm Ukraine to drive Russia out of all of Ukraine, but no, the Biden Administration dribbled the weapons out in such a manner that it turned a probable winning position into a losing position.

Ronald Cummings

Madison