This thing in Gaza has to stop!

Yes, it is really bad that Hamas is attacking Israel. However, Israel's response has been way disproportionate. Hundreds of non-combatants, including children have died.

I came across this blog post from a young Palestinian woman by way of the public radio show Here on Earth.

...

I've had a lot of time to contemplate, the last few days, and looking at my siblings, I wonder how the rest of the world envisions the people who occupy the most despondent and unruly military zones in the world.

My younger brothers spend their free time out with their friends, or playing basketball and soccer at youth clubs. They are passionate about sports, play station, and music. They play the guitar and are exceptional students. My brother who's in collage is obsessed with computers and gadgets, he's an engineering student who comes up with the most ingenious projects for his classes. He listens to music and plays the guitar and prays regularly. He's an honor student who has big goals and big dreams.

So please understand why I am infuriated when I see how we are portrayed on television. Hordes of bearded, teeth-gnashing, stone throwing blood thirsty savages in rags and tatters. And please don't blame me for feeling utter rage against the state of Israel, that has been intentionally targeting the unwary, guiltless, promising children and youth of the Gaza Strip in its vicious attacks over the past 5 days. Already, between 40 and 50 children are dead while hundreds lie in the hospitals, seriously injured or disabled for life.

...

Today the temporary halt of rocket fire coincided with the restoration of power to our home, at least for a few hours, at about 5pm. My brothers went to their rooms and played their videogames, I sat on the couch and read, and my sister went to take a nap. We tried to busy ourselves with regular daily activities in a situation that is anything but commonplace.

I think that this post highlights the necessity of knowing people as individuals and not just as statistics or as "them". If we saw "the enemy" as our own brothers and sisters, it would not be possible to look away as they are murdered.

I have never been in favor of Hamas. I am also not in favor of the Israeli treatment of non-Jews. The oppressed has become the oppressor. I suspect that if Israel would provide equal rights and privileges to everyone within its borders, regardless of religion or ethnicity, then the violence would stop. The Palestinians don't want war. As individuals, they lie on a sprectrum of disapproval to tolerance to support of Hamas only because their current situation is untenable. Treat the Palestinians as human beings and they will stop Hamas for their own self-interest. Until then, to whom can the Palestinians turn for help?