Regarding Elliot Kaufman’s op-ed about the Sunrise Movement’s anti-Zionism (“Will the Sun Ever Set on Anti-Semitism?” Oct. 23): Left-wing groups trade in historical grievance and victimhood. Given that the Jews have been hounded in the West for, let’s say, the past 1,000 years, and driven to the brink of annihilation in Europe in the past 100 years, it is notable that they continue to thrive and contribute great things to America and elsewhere. Israel, the only democracy in a very tough neighborhood, shares most Americans’ values regarding liberty and human rights, including the rights of Israeli Arabs.

What...

The Western Wall and the Dome of the Rock in the Old City of Jerusalem, Israel.

Photo: Geraldine Hope Ghelli/Bloomberg News

Regarding Elliot Kaufman’s op-ed about the Sunrise Movement’s anti-Zionism (“Will the Sun Ever Set on Anti-Semitism?” Oct. 23): Left-wing groups trade in historical grievance and victimhood. Given that the Jews have been hounded in the West for, let’s say, the past 1,000 years, and driven to the brink of annihilation in Europe in the past 100 years, it is notable that they continue to thrive and contribute great things to America and elsewhere. Israel, the only democracy in a very tough neighborhood, shares most Americans’ values regarding liberty and human rights, including the rights of Israeli Arabs.

What the left cannot tolerate is that Jews refuse to claim that they cannot succeed because of historical grievances. That makes them a despised role model for the victim-mongers.

Tom O’Hare

Charlestown, R.I.