Monday Ministerial Musings
By Rev. Mark William Ennis
2023 Blog #40
October 9, 2023
Hamas is hurting the Palestinian cause.
I was heart sick over the weekend when I learned of the invasion into Israel by members of Hamas. I especially felt sick when I heard of the massacres of young people and the kidnapping of an elderly woman. What made this matter worse for me was that I learned that a colleague of my wife has family living in a village near the Gaza strip where the invasion came from. I condemn this attack by Hamas.
Let me say that I am in great sympathy with the Palestinians. I have not visited the Gaza strip, but I have toured through East Jerusalem and the West Bank. I am appalled by the way that Palestinians are treated in these occupied lands. I understand the anger that Palestinians have. Nevertheless, I cannot excuse the actions of Hamas and I wonder how much more suffering that Palestinians will endure because of this attack. It seems to me that the tactics used by Hamas, and groups like Hamas hurt, not help, the Palestinians. I wish that they will begin using tactics that will alleviate the oppression of these people.
In my opinion, the best way to help the oppressed minority is to gain sympathy for the oppressed. World opinion, if it was solidly supporting the Palestinians, might be able to influence the Israeli government to treat people living in the occupied zones with a bit more respect and dignity. To gain such sympathy, it is imperative that such terrorist activities cease. One cannot gain support for Palestinians when attacks such as this are carried out.
Hamas has now given an excuse to Israel to launch its military force against Palestinians. There will be more bombings in Gaza. Perhaps there will be a land invasion in Gaza also. I do hope that the retaliation from the Israeli military will not cause suffering for those living on the West Bank, East Jerusalem, or the Golan Heights. If these people are attacked, their blood is on the hands of Hamas.
Every missile that lands in Israel, every attack on a Synagogue, every citizen of Israel who is shot or kidnapped, every death at the hands of terrorists, will hurt the cause for Palestinian equality. Each of these attacks give a reason for the Israeli army to treat Palestinians harshly.
Historically, each attack by Arab nations or and each terrorist attack, simply gives Israel the opportunity to occupy land and treat Palestinians as enemies. Can one blame Israel for protecting itself? The attack of Hamas only adds credence to Israeli fears for its own security.
I am in great sympathy for the plight of Palestinians. These people are not treated fairly or with dignity in the occupied areas. Attacks by terrorists make conditions worse and makes it difficult to gain global sympathy for the plight of those living in occupied lands.
Hamas, Hezbollah, any radical terrorists, please stop such attacks. You are only hurting the Palestinian cause by these actions. Israel will never consider being a friend if its security is threatened.
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