The citizens of the Gaza Strip have been forced to live in constant fear of terrorist attacks for the greater part of a century. Palestinians and Israelis have warred against one another over who has claim to the land since it was given to the Jews in 1948. Bombings and kidnappings are all but a way of life, leaving this once peaceful state in shambles.
Not only are the citizens prisoners to the constant onslaught of terrorist attacks by radical factions, even the largest political groups are corrupt. The highest levels of office in both the Israeli Army and Palestinian factions, such as Hamas and Fatah, have been reported to support terrorist attacks on civilians - even women and children, out of vengeance. The lengths the Palestinians have gone to in order to in order to attempt to regain full autonomy of their land is deplorable, essentially turning the Gaza Strip into a warzone. But aren’t the actions of the IDF just as deplorable? It seems that the only law of the land is “an eye for an eye.” Where is the mercy, compassion and sympathy?
The Israelis and the Palestinians do not understand that hate begets hate. Only with understanding and forgiveness will the region ever know peace. They are arguing over who owns what, when they should be helping each other live in harmony in a spirit of tolerance. Perhaps this is one area where the Palestinians and the Israelis could learn from the U.S.A. Otherwise, the Gaza Strip will never know peace.
Until the late 1940’s, ethnicities and religions of all kinds lived together in peace in the Gaza Strip. Christians, Muslims and Jews were neighbors, all of whom worshipped on the same soil. After WWII, what many have referred to as “The Great War”, British troops seized control of Palestine and remanded the country to the hands of the Jews as a gift. It was then to be known as the Jewish Nation. Without remorse or approval, the Jews banished many Palestinian citizens from their own homes and land. A number of them fled to nearby countries, yet many remained - to fight what they viewed as tyranny and injustice. Thus, Gaza Strip Palestinians have been a requisite ingredient to define this region.
Let this be a history lesson to the Palestinians and the Israelis. The Gaza Strip whether under Israeli control or Palestinian control will never see peace as long as Israel surrounds and occupies the Palestinian land. The Gaza Strip and the remainder of the land surrounding it belongs to the Palestinians and the Palestinians alone. But what will you do with the millions of Israelis that settled on their land? Isn’t that the million dollar question? The truth is Israelis have been there for 50 or so years. Since they already have settled there you cannot remove them in any way shape or form. The Israelis and Palestinians will have to live under one nation controlled by the original owners where Jews, Muslims and Christians lived side by side prior to the occupation and the formation of the Israeli nation.
Is it right to empathize with the Jews or do we empathize with the original Palestinians? It is a difficult question. The atrocities of the holocaust left many feeling that the Jews deserved a home of their own. After all, they have been persecuted for thousands of years. Perhaps the correct answer is that we sympathize with both. But the worst attitude we could possibly take is to become callous to the events in this region. We cannot fall into apathy over the seemingly interminable violence.
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