Tag: Hamas

The Hospital

On By scottpetersenIn HamasLeave a comment

According to Hamas, hundreds of souls perished in the recent rocket attack on the hospital in Gaza. However – as we now know — it was not Israel that fired the rocket. It was the Islamic Jihad – or an errant Hamas rocket. Some theorists suggest that Hamas did it on purpose — killing their own people as they have done for decades. We also know, the rocket fell in the parking lot (not on the hospital) and casualties were significantly lower than reported by Hamas.

For years, Hamas has hidden behind civilians of Gaza. Using children as human shields (as they are now using hostages and their own people). Over the last few decades, Hamas and Hezbollah rockets would indiscriminately rain down on Israel. They would make incursions. Kill innocents. With Israel responding as needed. Yet I have to wonder why these organizations keep getting a pass – while Israel is faulted for defending itself. And why the left celebrates the indiscriminate murder of Israelis (I mean really?). Now we have October 7th. I’d be interested in your “take”? What should Israel do? I trust the destruction of Hamas would be at the top of your list. . . . .

Israel

On By scottpetersenIn Hamas, Haredim, Israel, Palestinians1 Comment

For me, a high point of our trip was the visit to Israel – and our stay in Jerusalem at the David Citadel Hotel which overlooks old Jerusalem. So much to see and do that Donna and I concluded one could not experience (if not “see”) everything in less than a week or ten days. We floated in the Dead Sea, visited Masada, collected water from the Jordan River and wound our way through the security of the West Bank into Bethlehem.  And of course there was Jerusalem . . . .

We learned a bit of Israel that you don’t read about in the news. The population of Israel is about 7 million. Of that 21% is Arab and 4% Christian.  The Jews and Arabs (who are Israeli) apparently get along okay even though most of the Arabs are related to the Palestinian contingent in the Occupied Territories (there is no “Palestine”).  Arabs are allowed – but not required – to serve in the Israeli army.   The “Palestinians” (who were led by Yassir Arafat – an Egyptian) are not regarded favorably by any of the Middle Eastern countries.  Hamas (Palestinian’s military wing) is committed to the destruction of Israel and inflicts its senseless violence.  On Israel.  And on its own people.  The Palestinians have had numerous opportunities to resolve the issues with Israelis but either stupidity or stubbornness get in the way.  The issues could have been resolved years ago.  But as one of our cruise ship lecturers said, “Palestinians never miss an opportunity to miss an opportunity.”   

An internal concern of most Israelis is the Haredim (ultra-orthodox) community which numbers 11% of the population.  The men refuse to work given their perceived religious obligation to study the Torah.  They also refuse to serve in the Army.  Unlike Quakers and pacifists in America, Haredim will not even serve as medics. Because they refuse to work, they and their families live off the dole.  More than half of the Haredim live below the poverty line.  Thus there are the obvious political pressures from outside of Israel.  But there are political tensions from within as well.      

Evil

On By scottpetersenIn EvilLeave a comment

What is “evil”?  There are dictionary definitions (“morally reprehensible” “a complete absence of – or opposite of – good“).  There seems to be a general consensus on what is “good” and what is “evil.”  And this consensus crosses religious, ethnic, geographic, political and racial boundaries.  And yet there remains evil.  We read about it every day.    

In looking at our world today, most folks would agree that there are all too many organizations which fall under the definition of “evil.”  ISIS (Islamic State in Iraq & Syria); Boko Haram (the radical Muslims – Hausas – in Nigeria); Hamas in Gaza (especially the military wing); Al-Qaeda; Hezbollah; and so many others are veritable killing machines.   They are dedicated to (and often glorify) murder, kidnapping and torture.   They are dedicated to getting their own way.  Anyone who gets in their way is toast.  Interestingly most of the terrorist organizations today are Islamic.   And curiously many of these terror groups are at odds with each other (witness the vicious conflicts between Fatah, Hamas, the Muslim Brotherhood and the 72 sects of Islam).   We also see the abyss of evil in places like North Korea and in things like crime and exploitation. 

It is instructive to note is that most purveyors of evil and their members avow that their task is holy.  Their goals are honorable.  Their objectives just.  Their enemies are evil.   And that’s the rub.  How does one deal with such logic?  How do you rationalize the recent comments of ISIS killers that they feel “closer to God” by brutally torturing enemies?  You can’t.   We can speak out (I wish moderate voices of Islam would object to the current strife).  We can react.  Respond.  But in the end, I think the answer is that every once in a while, there is a large international commode that is full – and needs flushing.