I write to both thank Daniel Brown for his opinion pieces over the years and the Recorder for printing them. Brown’s recent piece questioned the lack of response from women’s and feminist organizations to the reported rape and sexual mutilation of Israeli girls and women by Hamas on Oct. 7 [“Why are feminists silent about Oct. 7? Recorder, Jan. 4]. I believe it was to the point. There are many of us who wondered the same.

The 150-plus-year-old standard bearer of American left political thought, “The Nation,” ran a similar piece on Dec. 15 by longtime columnist Katha Pollitt asking, “Is it so hard to say Hamas fighters committed war crimes including rape on October 7 and that Israel’s retaliatory mass bombing of Gaza is also a war crime? Must one negate the other?”

Even more to the left, “The Intercept” has acknowledged that “Hamas and other Palestinian militants committed unspeakable sexual violence against Israeli civilians on October 7,” only to go on to blame the right wing for calling out the lack of response by women’s rights organizations. There are many of us who called this out from across the political spectrum.

A recent letter to the editor from Traprock Center for Peace and Justice Director Pat Hynes was both dispiriting and alarming. She sharply criticized Brown, denying these heinous attacks occurred, implying, without saying, to choose a side [“Why feminists are silent about Oct. 7,” Recorder, Jan. 10].Can those on the political left make some room in their positional minds to acknowledge this happened?

There is plenty of documentation. Can more of us, left, right, wherever, acknowledge there are often dirty hands on all sides? Can we say, “This is wrong, and this is wrong, as well?” and yes, instead of yes but?

For me, I am heartsick and worried about what is happening in Gaza and the West Bank and Israel. I do not think the disproportionate destruction and loss perpetuated by Israeli military forces in Gaza precludes recognition of Hamas’ Oct. 7 atrocities.

Two recent letters sharply criticized Brown for telling women and feminists what to do. I felt Brown made it clear he was speaking up as men rarely do and women wish they would. I hope they and others might see that intention.

Wendy Foxmyn

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