Americans have long admired and supported Israel since time immemorial, going all the way back to 1967. And we continue to admire and support Israel more than any other country, including our own, even as it commits genocide and crimes against humanity. 

So I suggest that in approaching the local problem of homelessness in Ashland and Jackson County we learn from the Israelis we admire about dealing with a problematic population and recognize that “the lawn” needs mowing. 

We should bomb or bulldoze the homeless encampment on “the lawn,” force them to move to safe spaces and then bomb or bulldoze those safe spaces. 

We should cease providing them with access to food, shelter, health care and public facilities. Many will die and the rest will hopefully voluntarily leave our area thus relieving us of this vexing problem. 

And Ashland will make great strides towards restoring our community to being one populated by the right type of people who truly belong here and make this the kind of community we want to live in.

Benjamin Ben-Baruch

Ashland