Terrorism in the Gaza Strip

Politics & Religion

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.

Before WWII, the Gaza Strip was home to all manner of Jews and Gentiles, all of whom worshipped and lived together on the same soil in peace.  Soon after the war ended, the British army took control of Palestine, to give it to the Jews.  Thenceforth, it would be known as the Jewish Nation.   Palestinians were expelled from their homes and land almost overnight.  For many, their exodus took them to nearby countries, but large numbers stayed to combat the injustices of the Israelis.  Entire generations of Palestinians have grown up in the Gaza Strip knowing nothing but hatred for the Israelis.

It would seem that the Israelis and the Palestinians will never be able to get along in even a relatively peaceful manner.  Once the chords of vengeance have been struck, the tunes of anguish and suffering will forever play.  The Palestinians’ will simply never concede that the Gaza Strip now belongs to the Israelis.  Since the two sides cannot agree who owns the land, nor can they live together, what will become of the Gaza Strip if nothing is done to remedy this situation. 

The level of terrorism activity is out of control.  This region is affecting the geopolitical climate to such a degree that many feel neither side deserves to live there.  Some have even said the only way there will ever be peace in Israel is if there are no occupants whatsoever.  As childish as the solution may seem, perhaps it is the only one.  True, the Jews have been persecuted for millennia, but does this justify taking land away from the rightful inhabitants of the Gaza Strip?  When we look at every angle of these arguments, we can more clearly understand the nature of their plight.  At that point, it becomes quite clear that the only way to end the terrorism and intolerance is to get these groups together for meaningful debates that will resolve their differences or evacuate every inhabitant until there is no generation that remembers the events of this era. 

Reach My Blog @ July 2, 2008