When American colonists protested that their rights as Englishmen were being violated by the Coercive Acts, King George III accused them of being disloyal and unpatriotic. When young people in the ‘60s protested against the criminal acts of Presidents Lyndon Johnson and Richard Nixon in killing millions in Vietnam, the protesters were accused of being disloyal and unpatriotic American citizens.

Now, when anyone protests against the actions of the Israeli government’s destruction of Gaza and the killing of more than 11,000 Palestinian men, women and children, the protesters are accused of being antisemitic and against the state of Israel. See Frank Roberts’ Oct. 30 My Turn, “Protests against Israel sow hatred and dread.”

No, Mr. Roberts, I can protest against Benjamin Netanyahu’s criminal actions in Gaza as well as the terrorism of Hamas and still support the right of Israel to exist alongside a free Palestinian state. In fact, only peaceful actions will bring peace and security to all the people of the Middle East. The writer creates a false narrative when he alleges that “when protesters in my hometown are waving Palestinian flags, I feel a new sense of dread. Hamas has clearly perpetrated unspeakable violence in Israel, yet in the spirit of free speech, it enjoys a safe space in the U.S., where some people celebrate its successes.”

Flying the flag of the Palestinian people is not showing support for the terrorism that Hamas inflicted on innocent Israeli men, women and children. Protesting against the death and destruction that Netanyahu is raining down on innocent people in Gaza is not an act of antisemitism.

All compassionate people should be able to hold multiple truths at the same time. Hamas is a brutal terrorist organization, supported by Iran, that seeks the destruction of the state of Israel. Hamas killed 1,400 Israelis and took over 200 hostages on Oct. 7. Netanyahu has responded by killing more than 11,000 Palestinians, mostly civilians, and laid waste to Gaza. Now he is waging a ground invasion of Gaza and denying Palestinian civilians access to essential food, water and medical care.

Where this all ends no one knows, but surely the actions of Hamas and Netanyahu will not bring peace and security to the people of Gaza or Israel. Wars take on a life of their own, easy to start and difficult to end.

Protesting against the actions of the British Parliament was an act of patriotism for the American colonists. Protesting against the actions of presidents Johnson and Nixon was an act of patriotism for American citizens. Protesting against the actions of Hamas and Benjamin Netanyahu is an act of support for both Jews and Palestinians, who must learn to live in peace together in the Middle East.

Michael Magee lives in Orange.