Columnist’s take on Gaza conflict fails to reconcile with facts

If you are going to write an opinion, then as a university student, I would encourage you to research the facts about the conflict. As an underlying premise, the idea that Israel is the only country that cannot defend themselves is ridiculous. (“”Terrorism worthy of condemnation no matter who commits it,”” Jan. 15, 2009) Israel is no different from any other sovereign nation that must protect their citizens from those who would kill them. You wrote as a “”fact”” that “”Palestinians broke the ceasefire in December.”” In fact, they constantly broke the brief six month ceasefire by shooting rockets into Israel and stockpiling weapons during that time. In 2008, Hamas launched 3,000 rockets and mortars into Israel, numbering up to 150 in one day! How is it that defending Israelis (which include Jews, Muslims, Christians, Baha’i, Bedouin, Druze) against Hamas and putting an end to the countless rockets is considered terrorism?

How is targeting Hamas and their weapons cache terrorism? Hamas, an internationally recognized terrorist organization, is using mosques, schools, hospitals, and houses to store weapons, to hide Hamas terrorists, and to use as rocket-launching grounds. Iran is funding Hamas by pouring millions of dollars into Gaza; this money is being spent on rockets as opposed to humanitarian aid. Iranian-backed Hamas terrorists are using human shields, which is an international war crime. By the way, since the beginning of Operation Cast Lead, 179 truckloads of humanitarian aid have been delivered. 6,500 tons of aid have also been transported into Gaza at the request of international organizations.

How about the timing of the escalating rocket attacks and funding into Gaza from Iran distracting the international community from the ever-growing threat of a nuclear Iran? Everyone must understand that Israel wants peace. Israel is committed to a better future where both Israelis and Palestinians can live side by side in peace.

Hamas’ true vision is the extermination of the State of Israel, and not to live peacefully side by side with Israel. Iran-backed Hamas does not even seek to restore normalcy for the sake of the people of Gaza. For a ceasefire, all Hamas needs to do is stop firing rockets into Israel now and in the future.

Alex Eisen
sociology senior