WHY CELEBRATE HAMAS?
And Why the Sympathy for Palestinians?
I just saw a tape showing the vast quantity of weapons discovered in the bombed-out hospital in the Gaza Strip. Surprised? I’m not. Terrorists have always put their troops and weapons in a so-called “untouchable” space, like a school or hospital. This is how they think. I don’t get why there are so many people around the world protesting the response of the IDF to the Hamas terror attack. Politicians beg Israel to have a cease-fire. Really? Just ignore the many deaths, injuries and hostage-taking? Would any other country be asked to do this?
What is Hamas?
Hamas is fundamentalist Sunni Islamist group which forms a major faction in Palestinian politics. Sprung from the Muslim Brotherhood, they support an Islamic state, which is the Caliphate. What that means is the elimination of anyone who isn’t Muslim. It’s not just Jews. You may have the choice of becoming a Muslim. But mostly, you are a second-class citizen paying jizya (tax) or you will be murdered. This IS what they believe. But first and foremost, they want the complete destruction of Israel. This is why the many, generous peace offerings Israel has proffered have been rejected. You have to understand this.
Hamas controls the Gaza Strip, militarily and politically. Palestinians voted for them. Many consider them terrorists, but this is the government there. If any other government treated citizens of another country like this, they would be condemned. We don’t defend North Korea and Kim Jong Un.
The Israelis have historically welcomed Palestinians to come and work in their country (where there are actual jobs). Even after the attack, they have made many attempts to warn the innocents that bombing was coming. This is an incredible step, one I’ve never heard another country offer. Civilians are inevitable causalities of war. There is no way around it, especially when the enemy is hiding in places you don’t wish to bomb.
Basically, Hamas represents terrorism. Protestors know this, or they would not be worshipping Osama bin Laden. Why aren’t they considered more dangerous and wrong-headed than the January 6th protestors? When you support terrorists and condemn a people, are you any better than Hitler?
Anti-Semitism
Despite the claims of Bay Area politicians to the contrary, I’ve seen antisemitism since I arrived here. Prices at good golf clubs come in higher if they can tell you are Jewish. People say things about Jews they would never say about any other group of people. And Jews are not just those who practice that religion. Those of us from Jewish heritage still consider ourselves Jews, even as we aren’t religious.
Don’t believe me it’s on the rise? Famous historian, Deborah Lipstadt (known for fighting a libel case against a Holocaust denier – see the movie Denial), is now the US special envoy to monitor and combat antisemitism and she notes that there were only 751 reported incidents in 2013. There were 3,697 in 2022. Keep in mind that not all are reported. After the Hamas terror attacks, the rate increased nearly 400%. As an example, Jewish students at MIT were warned not to enter the school through its front entrance due to a “risk to their physical safety.” That is unacceptable. In Montreal, a Jewish school was attacked by gunfire twice in one week.
Lipstadt cuts some students a break, saying that she doesn’t think that some don’t actually understand what they are protesting. But too many do. Many claim that Israel is a racist state, but more than half of Israeli Jews came from non-Ashkenazi roots, from Africa, Iran and other parts of the world. Israeli Arabs work, study and choose to live there. Doesn’t sound racist to me. Another claim is that they displaced native inhabitants, what country hasn’t done that to some extent? It’s pretty much the way it works.
Lipstadt claims that the reason many don’t see the Jews/Israelis as targets is that people see them as smarter, richer and more successful than the rest…and believe they haven’t earned that success. It’s the same idea as the Occupy idiots. They envy those who have accomplished more and want to tear them down, even as many Jews have not enjoyed privilege, and those who have, mostly earned it.
It would be bad enough if this were just happening here. But London saw a 1,350% increase in antisemitic hate crimes in October. Throughout Europe, Muslims have celebrated the attacks, handing out candy in Berlin.
What’s the Solution?
It’s not the government, who can only pass laws. Hate crime laws don’t really work or address the situation. It starts with each of us to challenge our beliefs. I’ve always thought that the only way to work through our divisiveness is to go back to what I learned in school as a child. Meet every person by looking for the things we have in common. What do we share? The differences, then, are the spice that deepens the relationship.
Next, there must be consequences for those who are antisemitic. If you are a racist at work, you will be counselled, but ultimately fired, if you can’t change your attitude and behavior. Fire those who are antisemitic and hurt their fellow workers. Consider dismissing them from colleges and universities. Shun them from social groups. If you knew someone in your group hated all Blacks, would you continue to invite them? There must be consequences when you treat people badly, or condemn them as a group.
We don’t tolerate terrorism here; we shouldn’t tolerate terrorism-supporters.
