Saturday, October 28th, 2023
Dear Freedom Friends,
A week ago, a friend on Facebook asked to hear from people who supported Israel’s response to October 7th. He sought a diversity of viewpoints. Below is my reply, but first, let me be clear.
I share in the world’s deep discomfort with abuses directed, by Israel, at the people living in Gaza and the West Bank. I have seen Israel and its citizens as similar to White South Africans during Apartheid. I also tend to assign more responsibility to those with greater power, when a conflict is ongoing. This has been my generalized opinion for over thirty years, and it hasn’t changed much since October 7th. Yet, I am currently supportive of Israel’s response to Hamas’ declaration of war. My reasoning is below, and I am always open to learning. So, you are most welcome to share your thoughts in the comment section.
Below, are mine.
We live in the real world, where acts of war — by one government against another — have consequences.
Hamas hasn’t denied involvement, hasn’t apologized, hasn’t offered to help rescue the hostages, hasn’t claimed it’s just a radical fringe group, hasn’t NOTHING.
Even worse, Hamas doubled down, calling for a Global Day of Rage and asked Muslims around the world to intentionally cause harm, damage, and kill Jews (and Christians) everywhere on Friday the 13th. That was the response of the Hamas Leaders who RULE the Palestinians.
Hamas is dominated by terrorists who commit heinous crimes against humanity. They are not anyone to negotiate with, nor to honor. Any party who will decapitate innocent people, rape women, murder children and burn babies is not to be dealt with in the same way you deal with a person who simply holds a different opinion, has different values, or seeks different goals.
It’s why we don’t negotiate with terrorists. They bring nothing of value to the table. Ever. Their cowardly use, abuse, and resulting murder of civilians as “living, human shields,” is proof that they cannot be a TRUSTED negotiation partner. They are prepared to die for their cause, meaning they have a “nothing left to lose” mentality, leaving them unmotivated to seek a truly peaceful resolution.
On October 7th, innocent Israelis (waking up or still in their beds) were tormented, terrorized, tortured and massacred in a gruesome manner reminiscent of Romans, Mongols, Persians, and Vikings raiding villages and making WAR upon the people.
There were ZERO military targets — except to CAUSE a war.
Hamas then retreated to its underground fortress, with captives, for the purpose of adding more human shielding to its tactical position. The first layer being their own people, and yes — Hamas is chosen, accepted and aided by many Palestinians.
(The Palestinian Authority is an authoritarian regime that has not held elections in over 15 years; it has been criticized for human rights abuses, including cracking down on journalists, human rights activists, and dissent against its rule.)
On a planet enduring intense human migration, it is notable that Canada, the EU, and the USA are receiving (legally & illegally) massive numbers of immigrants — while Middle Eastern Countries have consistently refused to absorb the Palestinian People into their lands.
And so, the good people in Palestine are truly trapped between a well-funded Terrorist Organization playing at government, and a neighboring nation of people (Israel) who (having just been attacked by Hamas) have drawn a line in the sand and are holding to it.
The DECLARATION OF WAR occurred on October 7th — by Hamas. As a result, all past wrongs and struggles are irrelevant, and Israel has the full right to defend its people by returning that declaration with one of their own.
If the Palestinian People don’t want war (and I personally think most of them don’t), why were there no marches in the street, decrying the bloodletting of October 7th or defying the Hamas government? Because Hamas would kill anyone who did so. Hamas will also ensure many Palestinians die in the process, largely as unwilling shields and martyrs.
So, ask yourself — who is truly responsible for these Palestinian deaths? Hamas, and all who fund Hamas.
Personally, I hope every last tunnel is found and collapsed. Every weapons store confiscated. Every building harboring terrorists identified and cleared of combatants.
Israelis will die, yes. And, they will die not only in defense of their country and their people after a horrific act of war. They will be liberating the Palestinians from Hamas, as well. And in that, there is hope.
Personal Note: My family is atheist and agnostic. But, on Friday the 13th, my son attended Shabbat with his Jewish girlfriend. I called the synagogue to reassure myself the “Day of Rage” threat was being taken seriously. It was! When they confirmed local police were providing special protection, the location was not publicized, and they had hired additional security officers — I decided to stay home and worry. My other option was sitting in my car, in front of the synagogue, with a cell phone primed to call 911and a loaded handgun (yes, I have a Concealed Carry Permit). My husband, visiting family in California, also spent the night worrying. That was how we felt on Oct. 13th, when most global leaders and the public remained sympathetic to the tragedies of the week before. Can you guess how we feel now?