I was shocked when I saw a letter printed that ended with “Free Palestine!” in last week’s paper (“Purim Satire ‘News’ Was in Bad Taste” March 4, 2021).

While the letter begins by making a reasonable critique of a Purim satire article—one which I agree was in bad taste—it digresses into all-out slander against Israel and regurgitates tired Palestinian propaganda. I understand that this letter does not represent the views of the paper or its staff, but I strongly disagree with the decision to print it.

This letter provides a platform for libelous accusations against Israel, which are at the core of almost all anti-Israel attacks. Moreover, the letter accuses the “tribal” readership of the paper as being narcissistic, racist and inhumane. Rhetoric such as this is insulting and inflammatory.

While I appreciate the editors’ desire for the letters to be an open forum which sparks conversation within the community, giving such content a platform serves only to amplify hate-filled messages. This also creates a risk where the letter itself can be shared in a way purporting to show communal support for the message. The paper should not enable this dangerous outcome.

Additionally, the author of the letter is a known activist. He associates with Neturei Kartah and other groups who wish to see Israel eliminated. A person like this should be ostracized by the Religious Zionist community, not given space in one of our papers to spread his hate.

Debate and disagreement are important elements of communal discourse, but editorial discretion must be exercised to stop hate and propaganda from being featured in the paper.