Nationality and religion should not be an issue

As an Israeli American who has lived in Agoura for many years, I take exception to your article about the axed walnut tree.

My objection is that you threw in a quote that called attention to the developers' nationality. I fail to understand what relevance their Israeli background has to this story. What was the purpose of mentioning it? Do Irish, Polish, German, or Mexican people never cut down trees?

According to your article, there was no illegal conduct on the owners' part in cutting down the walnut tree. Many trees have been cut down in the Conejo Valley by developers and private individuals. Do you always report their names and nationalities?

Josef Avesar

Agoura Hills

Editor's note: The only reference to nationality appeared in a direct quote. It did not appear in the reporter's text.