I didn’t want to have to make a status about everything going on in Israel and Gaza. I was worried that I might get a negative reaction if I defended Israel publicly; that some of you would think of me as close-minded or biased, or that I am inherently opposed to the right of the Palestinians—in Gaza or elsewhere—to an autonomous, Free State. Well, I realized, I am none of those things. And by not speaking up, I was just being a coward. After all, I didn’t go to Jewish Day School, take 10+ years of courses on the Middle East, study abroad in Israel, staff a trip to Israel, and build incredible connections with so many amazing people there, to sit by silently on this one… So: I do believe that Israel has the right to defend its citizens and its borders. I do believe that by defending its citizens, Israel is defending Jewish people all over the world. I do believe in the ability of the IDF to value life, and make the best possible decisions a soldier can make in an impossible, civilian-filled war zone. I do believe that every innocent life lost in this fighting is a tragedy. I do believe that Hamas is a terrorist organization—similar to Al Qaeda—that has perverted the teachings of Islam to spread hatred and violence. I do believe that the people of Gaza deserve SO much more than what Hamas has (more like hasn’t) given them. They deserve a government that cares about their well-being, as much as the government of Israel cares about the Israeli people. And, to be optimistic, I do believe that this current conflict will settle, and that in my lifetime, an end to all this bloodshed will come. If you made it all the way though this post; congratulations. Lastly, to all my friends in Israel: Stay safe, and thank you.
Posted on: Sun, 20 Jul 2014 12:58:02 +0000
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