I respect Robert Azzi’s knowledge and passion, but I wish he could add some objectivity to his recent articles on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The paper has Hamas walking through Gaza with loaded guns displayed claiming victory. Their victory came on the lives of hundreds of Palestinians. What many do not understand is that these lives do not matter to Hamas. They are willing to use the money given to them for infrastructure to build tunnels to enable them to attack Israel. The tunnels replace bomb shelters that could be built to protect the people.
Prior to 2008, innocent civilians were used as weapons by carrying bombs into Israel that exploded, killing them and Israeli citizens, many were Arabs. Now Hamas places their valued leaders among the citizens of Gaza putting them at continued risk. Hamas is a terrorist group. The citizens of Gaza are never going to flourish as long as they are ruled by a group that’s long term mission is the destruction of Israel. Negotiations with them are a pathway to nowhere. I believe the leadership in Israel must change and many Israelis agree. What I do know as I watch all the antisemitism in this country and around the world is that the Jewish people need some place where they can be free to practice their religion in peace. I hope that the Palestinians can achieve this dream as well.
Susan Seidner
Pembroke