To the editor:

It is not bothsidesism to mention war crimes on both sides in the Middle East. Instead, it is a necessity for avoiding being misunderstood — as in a KU exchange reported by the Journal-World on Friday.

When the graduate teaching assistants condemned Israel’s attack on Gaza without mentioning Hamas, it left a strong impression that they support Hamas’ horrendous attack on civilians.

When Hillel condemned the TAs without mentioning Israel’s actions, it left a strong impression that Hillel supports a horrendous siege depriving 2 million Gazan civilians of food, shelter, electricity, water, health care and safe haven from bombs.

When the TAs called for an end to Israeli apartheid without mentioning Palestinian authoritarianism, it left a strong impression they believe the state of Israel should be replaced by Hamas rulers.

When Hillel called the TAs antisemitic, it left a strong impression they believe Israel’s illegal colonization of the West Bank and 16-year blockade of Gaza are not merely OK, but rather an essential part of Judaism.

David Burress,

Lawrence