Marv Greenberg is a lay leader at Ohavi Zedek Synagogue, a proud Zionist and a supporter of the State of Israel. Dear Editor, I am appalled and shocked that our Vermont pro-Palestinian groups are filing an ethics complaint and calling for the resignations of the five Vermont legislators w ho traveled to Israel on a much-needed fact-finding mission.  READ MORE These legislators were going to Israel, a strong U.S. ally and a democracy, to see what happened on October 7, 2023, and what has been happening in Israel since then.  It has always been common practice for our political leaders to travel to different parts of the world to help them see the points of view of those on the ground.  I know that members of pro-Palestinian groups have gone to Israel on their own fact-finding missions. Is the fact that our legislators went on the invitation of the Israeli government rather than the Palestinian Authority making this an ethical question?  Once again, these groups—Jewish Voice for Peace and the Vermont Coalition for Palestinian Liberation—are using propaganda statements that I believe are not only inflammatory but also inaccurate. In my view, these actions demonize Israel, collectively target Jews, normalize antisemitic and anti-Zionist rhetoric and create hostile environments for Jewish families, students and civic leaders here in Vermont. I hope that these actions are not allowed to go any further in our open-minded Vermont; that they will not try to stifle the opinions of others, and that our legislators will not feel that they always have to toe the line. Read the story on VTDigger here: Marv Greenberg: Fact-finding travel to Israel isn’t unethical. ...read more read less