Letters on April 4 included one that said “I don’t understand” the actions of Israel toward the Gazans. He made several points to illustrate his feelings. I write today to express my sympathy for Craig and so many others who are dumbfounded by the ongoing victimization of the Arab population there. As I read and see and listen to representatives of the Palestinians who are amid the devastation, who’s families and friends and colleagues have been murdered in the name of Israel’s “right to defend itself,” it is overwhelmingly heartbreaking. It is beyond all reason or justification.

Government spokespersons declare it is all about Hamas. Clearly, it isn’t. When a state destroys a society’s medical, educational, agricultural, cultural, social infrastructure, it is not about the soldiers. It is about the destruction and elimination of an entire people. What is going on in Gaza and the West Bank right now is exactly what has been the object of the Jewish state since its beginning. This is backed up by actual statements from Israeli leaders over the decades. The Palestinian people are considered an inconvenient obstacle to the pure “Jewish Homeland” “from the river to the sea.” Co-existence might have been possible had the Jewish immigrants not violently stolen the property of the Palestinians from the beginning. That theft continues unabated. In light of this, Hamas’ attack should not have been a surprise. Hamas is a convenient excuse mouthed by Israel and its wholly complicit American servant.

Gail Page

Concord