We in the U. S. are blessed to have good neighbors. Other countries are not so fortunate.
If you missed the memo, things in the Middle East are, as always, hot.
How did we get here? Well, without talking about father Abraham and all his seed, the reason there is a problem in Gaza rests solely on Hamas.
Israel launched Operation Cast Lead on Hamas leaders and targets in late December 2008 to stop the rockets that have been maliciously launched into civilian territory for far too long.
The suffering of Palestinians in Gaza is horrid.
Viewing video, seeing photos and reading stories of the human suffering is heart wrenching. My heart broke with each civilian casualty and I was angry and indignant.
But I wasn’t mad at Israel, as many are. I am with Hamas – the terrorist organization that has the Palestinians of Gaza hostage.
In the midst of the emotions about the Gaza situation, let us remember some facts. It is a fact that Israel withdrew all settlers and military from the Gaza Strip in September of 2005. Former Prime Minister Ariel Sharon believed this action would increase the security of Israelis. Public opinion polls at that time showed 60 percent of Israelis favored this plan and almost all Palestinians did.
But withdrawing hasn’t been enough. According to the Washington Post, Hamas has launched more than 6,800 rockets and mortars into Israel since 2005. Hamas now has rockets that are capable of striking 25 miles into Israel. This puts more than 1,000,000 Israeli civilian lives in danger.
Beyond the very real and legitimate threat Hamas poses to Israel, one must consider the suffering that it imposes on Gazans.
Reports have confirmed that, like Hezbollah in Southern Lebanon, Hamas uses civilian areas as cover for their operations. The United Nations Humanitarian Affairs Chief John Holmes condemned Hamas a week ago for its “cynical” use of civilian facilities during recent hostilities in the Gaza Strip.
Holmes went on to say, “the reckless and cynical use of civilian installations by Hamas and indiscriminate firing of rockets against civilian populations are clear violations of international humanitarian law.”
Hamas’ actions are wholly intolerable.
If it were America, it wouldn’t have gone this far. All Mexico or Canada would have to do is say our names three times and people would be up in arms, And imagine if they actually started acting violently.
Even Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas blamed Hamas for violating the six-month truce with Israel and “drawing his people to this destruction.”
Hamas militants violently overthrew Abbas’ Fatah forces in Gaza in 2007.
In electing Hamas over Fatah, Palestinians supposedly took a stand against corruption, but they also elected a group that was and remains dedicated to the eradication of another nation.
That’s not how we operate in the 21st century.
You cannot purposefully and wantonly target civilian populations, nor can you take refuge amongst civilians to launch attacks.
The international community has a responsibility to stop patronizing Hamas and hold them to the same standards other entities are held to.
You have a responsibility as a citizen of this world to become more informed about the situation in Gaza, Israel and around the world.
Participate in intelligent discourse to receive knowledge for yourself.
It’s hard to not allow emotions to weigh in on the way one thinks about the situation.
I have friends at a university in Israel who I wish could live normal lives and worry about partying instead of wondering if their unit will be called up to serve. Emotions keep us human, but also make it hard to discern between truth and fiction.
With so many emotions flaring, it’s important to temper passion with proof and facts – especially when it comes to Gaza.
-Kayle Barnes is a professional writing senior.
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jfreezy 3 years, 3 months ago
"In electing Hamas over Fatah, Palestinians supposedly took a stand against corruption, but they also elected a group that was and remains dedicated to the eradication of another nation. That’s not how we operate in the 21st century."
Just how do WE operate in the 21st century? If the nation causes your suffering, I can see where one might want it eradicated. Israel just always deals so heavy handed and out of proportion in these things. They used white phosphorus for Godssake. Let's face it, putting the Jews back in Israel was a mistake, and now that they're there, they act like they run the whole middle east. We give them money, weapons, whatever they want and the fact is, they act like a spoiled child. If we criticize, they are up in arms, if we threaten sanctions, they are up in arms, if we show support for the palestinian cause, they go wild. I mean, what's the freakin' nature of this relationship? If it wasn't for the US, there would be no Israel. Now I understand that Israel is there to stay, but Israel's got to start listening to reason and the United States has got to dish out some tough love to the Israeli's if we want to clean up this mess in the middle east. Ok, so Hamas shoots some rockets and that is a terrible thing, but then Israel just dominates the hell out of an entire population? The response is out of proportion and I blame Hamas, but also the twisted worldview of Israel and the pro-Israeli American sentiments that have prolonged their natural correction and caused more suffering than solutions.