To the editor:
Let’s not forget that on October 7 innocent Israelis and other nationals were murdered and kidnapped from their homes by a terrorist organization, unprovoked. A mother and father were murdered in front of their three children. This couple founded an organization for Jews and Muslims for Peace. Yet that did not matter to Hamas.
There has been much rhetoric in support of Palestinians. But where is the rage towards Hamas? Hamas is a terrorist organization whose sole purpose is the destruction of Israel. They will use any means, including using their own innocent citizens as shields, to achieve their goal. The areas attacked on October 7 are NOT “occupied territory.” They are Israeli territory. Any country who is attacked in such a manner would respond and, I suspect, would garner the world’s sympathy and support in doing so. Yet when it is Israel that responds, too many people forget what Israelis have endured for decades and Jews have endured for centuries.
And where is the rage for surrounding Arab states? Egypt has a border along Gaza, and they will not allow Gazans into their country. They control the Rafah Crossing into Egypt. They would not allow innocent Gazans to escape into Egypt. The same goes for all Middle Eastern countries. Why haven’t they financially supported Gaza over the years? Many of these wealthy countries could have poured massive amounts of money into Gaza. Perhaps they didn’t do so because they know what Gaza will do with the money … build more tunnels and boost their weaponry to carry out their mission to destroy Israel. Hamas does nothing to help the people of Gaza, who are prisoners of their regime.
Hamas is a terrorist organization that cannot be trusted. They claim that more than 10,000 Gazans have been killed. How can those numbers be trusted? Are they independently verified? [Editor’s note: While independent media outlets have been unable to verify death tolls published by the Palestinian Ministry of Health in their entirety, the United Nations and several human rights organizations, including Human Rights Watch, have historically relied on the Ministry’s reports and defended their accuracy.]
And finally, let’s not forget Israel LEFT Gaza in 2005, pulling settlers out by their feet who were refusing to leave. The hope was that the Palestinian Authority would govern the territory, but internal fighting between the Palestinian Authority and Hamas left Hamas in charge. So the region is left with a terrorist regime in charge.
It is understandable to grieve the loss of innocent life in Gaza. But let’s not forget the Israelis as well. They did not start this conflict on October 7. Hamas did!
Lee Coleman
Otis
