My stance on this conflict has changed. It has moved from disgust at the Hamas attacks on Israeli citizens, believing that Israel does have the right to defend itself but also knowing a little, now more, of the history of the way Palestinians in then occupied territories, have been treated by the Israeli government for over 70 years. Of course the Holocaust happened.
I think Hammas, an extreme group with their own agenda, could easily take advantage of/ be elected in this climate. No elections since 2007 .
The ordinary citizens of Gaza have had no protection from Hammas and continued human rights violations from the IDF and Israeli government. Abbas has little power. They have been described as cockroaches in a bottle as part of IDF training, Nazis referred to Jews as rats.
Both sides both Hammas and the IDF are suspected of indoctrinating young people. Both have said they want to anhialate the other. Both have been persecuted but Nakba is rarely mentioned in mainstream media. By Israel I mean government, not Jews, most likely now not many of the civilians of Israel who maybe didn't know what they were electing?
I now don't believe that the IDF is only hitting military targets. This is revenge on all of Gaza, who have been seen as cockroaches for some time and dehumanised.
Will post Guardian article re a lost generation. It is understandable that some young Gazans caught up in this brutality who survive would join extremist groups. Because for them there is nothing else.
