I would like to respond to some of the assertions writer Iyko Day makes in her letter regarding what she described as one-dimensional Zionism [“Zionism in 3D,” July 12]. I am a Zionist. I support Israel’s right to exist, but not in a one-dimensional way. Some, not all, pro-Palestinians recognize Israel as a legitimate state. So, I understand that there is not only a one-dimensional anti-Zionist take on Israel. Unfortunately, just as there are Israelis and Zionists who think the displacement and persecution of their Palestinian neighbors justified, there are Palestinians and their supporters who would like to see Israel destroyed. Those are the anti-Zionist, antisemites the letter ignores.

Here are two things I believe about Israel. First, it is and should remain a Jewish state. Second, it is a fact on the ground that will not go away and the world must treat it as such. I do not believe either of these propositions excuses Israel for its original displacement of Palestinians in the Nakba, or the continuing, violent Israeli displacement of Palestinian natives on the West Bank. I am a Zionist who believes Israel has much to answer for. I am also a U.S. citizen who thinks his country has a lot to answer for, too. What I don’t think is that either country should be destroyed.

But here’s something Israel does not need to answer for: accusations of genocide. Yes, I think the civilian death toll in Gaza is probably a war crime. If so, will Hamas accept its share of the responsibility for using its own people as shields? Even with the massive number of civilian deaths in Gaza, there has been no attempt to destroy the whole Palestinian population of millions in Gaza or elsewhere. Complain about one-dimensional thinking all you want. Who can disagree with that? But don’t assume that because one disagrees with someone their thinking is one-dimensional.

Seth Michael Rothberg

Amherst