Chapter 1: The Innocence of Many in Gaza

The question often arises: Do Palestinians deserve the hardships they encounter due to their election of Hamas? The answer is a resounding no. Eric Wicklund, a former Operations Specialist in the U.S. Navy, articulates it aptly: "I wouldn’t entrust a pack of scorpions I disapprove of to Hamas; even scorpions don’t deserve such a fate."

Simultaneously, Israel has valid grounds for its mission to dismantle Hamas, recognizing the group as a significant adversary. This perspective should be universally understood.

These views may appear contradictory, yet they are not. The reality of the world is filled with nuances—expecting it to be simple is unrealistic. The complexities of the Middle East amplify this truth. Anyone who claims that solutions are straightforward is either misinformed, naïve, or misleading you.

Only after Hamas secured its electoral victory in 2006 did its true nature emerge. The group expelled Fatah from Gaza through violence and intimidation. It is crucial to note that Hamas does not act in the interest of the Palestinian people.

At the time of the election, nearly half of Gazans were under 18 and thus could not cast votes. Those individuals have since matured but had no say in the matter when Hamas assumed power. Since then, there have been no elections, leaving Gazans without a chance to replace Hamas even if they desired to do so.

Reports indicate that any dissent within Gaza against Hamas is met with lethal repercussions. Criticizing a decision made without a chance to influence it is unjust. A survey taken shortly before the October 7 massacre revealed that 44% of Gazans expressed distrust in Hamas, while only 29% supported it. Should the majority be punished for the actions of a minority? This seems illogical. Furthermore, 73% of respondents opposed Hamas's goal of eliminating Israel.

Hamas’s openly hostile intentions towards Jews are well-documented, and the group seems intent on inciting further harm to Palestinians.

The Takeaway

In my view, Palestinians do not deserve Hamas as their governing body. The Israeli government is working to eradicate a destabilizing force in the region. Despite claims from various pro-Palestinian advocates, Israel asserts that it is making efforts to avoid civilian casualties while confronting an enemy that utilizes human shields. This is an incredibly challenging task when Hamas deliberately places Palestinian civilians in harm's way.

I believe that once Hamas is neutralized or significantly weakened, a shift in Palestinian perspectives will occur—though not uniformly, as life is rarely black and white, and individuals are not all alike. However, a notable transition towards peaceful objectives can be anticipated.

You can explore more of my perspectives on critical issues through a subscription to my work at AskLewis.Substack.com.

@LewisCoaches

Author Note: My background includes participating in negotiations involving Israel, the Palestinian Authority, Saudi Arabia, and the USA in 2001 concerning the West Bank and Jerusalem. Please refrain from presuming my political views regarding the Middle East; my aim is to present factual information for you to analyze and draw your conclusions, helping you break free from entrenched biases.

Connect with Lewis through social media for more insights, essays, self-help tips, and current trends. Access a wealth of resources by subscribing to askLewis.Substack.com.

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Chapter 2: Expert Insights on the Conflict

Princeton scholars and experts provide in-depth discussions on the Israel-Palestine conflict, shedding light on various perspectives.

In a heated debate, Piers Morgan confronts Avi Hyman on the implications of the conflict, revealing the emotional weight of the issues at hand.