I can’t help but feel a sense of skepticism when hearing President Biden’s statement that Hamas is ‘no longer capable’ of carrying out another major attack against Israel. It is true that at the moment, the supply tunnels from Egypt have been blocked off, preventing Hamas from having access to rockets. However, as history has shown us time and time again, terrorist organizations like Hamas are resilient and resourceful. They will find ways to regroup, rearm, and plan their next move during any ceasefire.
I can’t help but agree with the sentiment that every ceasefire comes with the promise of Hamas being weakened or deterred, only for them to strike again with even more ferocity.… Continue reading
As I sit here processing the recent news of Netanyahu acknowledging a ‘tragic mistake’ after a strike in Rafah killed dozens of Palestinians, I can’t help but feel a sense of deep frustration and disappointment. This is not the first time such a tragic incident has occurred under his leadership, and it seems like there is a pattern of disregard for innocent lives in the pursuit of military objectives.
In a world where accountability is essential, the fact that Netanyahu can simply acknowledge a mistake and move on without facing any real consequences is downright unsettling. The lives lost in Rafah were not just numbers on a casualty report; they were real people with families, dreams, and hopes for the future.… Continue reading
I find the recent news about Hamas launching a ‘big missile’ attack on Tel Aviv deeply troubling. The audacity of firing rockets at a civilian city like Tel Aviv is not only a blatant act of aggression but also a clear violation of international law. It is absolutely bewildering that a terrorist organization like Hamas, which claims to be fighting for the rights of Palestinians, would resort to such reckless and violent actions.
It is disheartening to see how Hamas continues to prioritize violence and conflict over the well-being of the people they claim to represent. The fact that they have enough resources to launch missile attacks, despite supposedly struggling to provide basic necessities like food and water to the people of Gaza, is appalling.… Continue reading
It’s quite interesting to see Israel’s reaction to the recognition of a Palestinian state by Ireland, Norway, and Spain. The notion of warning these countries of ‘serious consequences’ for their decision is quite perplexing. What exactly does Israel envision as the endgame for the conflict if not a two-state solution, which recognizing Palestine implies? It seems counterproductive to penalize countries for acknowledging the existence of a Palestinian state, especially given Israel’s repeated affirmations of not being interested in ruling over Gaza and other Palestinian territories.
Israel’s approach seems to be reminiscent of tactics used by Russia or China in international relations.… Continue reading
The recent news of the UN ordering Israel to immediately halt the Rafah offensive has left me bewildered. It seems peculiar that the focus is solely on Rafah when other cities have faced higher casualty tolls. This selective targeting of Israel feels overtly political, rather than rooted in a genuine concern for civilian lives. With the ICJ also instructing Israel to open the Rafah border crossing for humanitarian aid, the situation grows even more convoluted.
The fact that the head judge, Nawaf Salam, has openly displayed animosity towards Israel in the past casts doubt on the impartiality of this ruling. It’s hard to take a decision seriously when the person making it has a documented bias.… Continue reading
Israel’s decision to withhold much-needed funds from the Palestinian Authority following the recognition of a Palestinian state by three European countries raises many questions and points to consider. First of all, why is Israel collecting taxes on behalf of the PA in the first place? Shouldn’t the PA be able to do this themselves? The issue is complicated by the fact that the recognition of Palestinian territory without Israel’s agreement violates the 1995 Oslo Accords, which serve as the foundation for Israel’s interactions with the PA.
The decision by Spain, Norway, and Ireland to recognize a Palestinian state while not recognizing Catalonia’s independence seems like a height of hypocrisy.… Continue reading
The recent release of graphic footage showing the abduction of female Israeli hostages by Hamas has sparked outrage and horror around the world. The faces of these Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) personnel lined up against a wall, their hands bound, some bruised and bloodied, paint a grim picture of the inhumanity suffered by these women. It is heart-wrenching to witness such barbaric treatment of innocent individuals, regardless of the political context or conflict that led to their abduction.
In the midst of this tragedy, the families of the female hostages have taken a bold step by releasing this footage in a desperate attempt to put pressure on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.… Continue reading
It’s easy to get lost in the noise and chaos of the political world, especially when it comes to conflicts as complex and longstanding as the one between Israel and Palestine. As someone who may not be well-versed in the intricacies of this issue, it can be overwhelming to navigate the barrage of opinions, hashtags, and buzzwords that flood social media platforms and news outlets. And yet, amidst the cacophony of voices, one statement stands out – “Biden: What’s happening in Gaza is not genocide.”
This assertion, coming from the President of the United States himself, carries significant weight and sparks a barrage of reactions from people across the political spectrum.… Continue reading
The recent news about the warrant application against Israeli leaders being deemed “outrageous” by President Joe Biden has sparked quite a debate. Biden’s clear stance on the matter highlights the lack of equivalence between Israel and Hamas when it comes to threats to security and actions taken. It is undeniable that the two entities are not on the same level in terms of actions and consequences.
When looking at the situation with a critical lens, it becomes evident that even if one party is “less bad” than the other, they can still be held accountable for their actions. The idea of equivalence should not be a requirement when it comes to addressing potential war crimes.… Continue reading
Israel’s army has announced that the bodies of three hostages have been recovered, bringing to a tragic end the uncertainty surrounding their fates. The news is heartbreaking, especially knowing that one of the victims, Shani, had her body defiled and paraded around in Gaza, a horrific act of cruelty that no one should ever have to endure.
It is unfathomable to comprehend the level of inhumanity displayed by those who not only killed these innocent individuals but also sought to humiliate their bodies for their own twisted purposes. The fact that people were cheering and applauding such despicable acts is beyond comprehension, highlighting the depths of depravity that exist in our world.… Continue reading
John Q. Hosedrinker