Voices

Gaza commentary, written from the comfort of Brattleboro, manipulated facts about conflict that hits home

As is typical of many articles I have read, Randolph T. Holhut, you fail to truly state the significance of the arms that Hamas has unleashed on Israel and instead focused on Israel's might as if Israel should in fact apologize for building a strong military, training its young, and being able to finally protect its Jewish citizens after so many years in which Jews were unable to do so.

You fail to mention the charter of Hamas, which was, as you say, voted in by its citizens. I guess that was their choice to some degree, but I would also hazard a guess that coercion played a huge role. However, the omission of this point is indicative of the manipulation of facts throughout this piece.

You write that Hamas launches a “few” rockets into Israel but again fail to mention both an accurate number as well as the continuous occurrence of this action into places like Sderot.

Hamas is a fighting unit trained by Iran and some even suggest the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS). Hamas intimidates those in Gaza and has, in fact, helped to make life hell for them.

However, from the calm and quiet of Brattleboro, you have obviously decided that our blockade is keeping goods from entering Gaza when Israel is not doing that. Goods first go to Ashdod and are checked, then trucked into Gaza.

Why? Well, in the past, there were ships bringing weapons meant to kill all of us. However, you omit this again to make your anti-Israel point.

Hamas would be lobbing missiles at Israel regardless of anything the world community would do for the Palestinians. That's like saying ISIS wouldn't be slaughtering people in Iraq and Syria if we just gave them grapefruit. Either you have no idea or, if you do, you certainly don't write as if you have a clue about the real issues in the Middle East.

You also slip in your cute little “greater Israel” and though many of your readers will let this go, I certainly won't.

I think the only “greater Israel” we are all trying to create is a greater Israel and a greater Palestine in which people have the right to express dissent, women have full rights, and the message of hate is not taught from cradle to grave.

Your article, once again, looks like nothing more than a perusal of online anti-Israel rhetoric and lacks not only substance, but also a true depiction of the enemy that Israel is fighting.

With a son in this conflict and the sons and daughters of good friends out there defending my right to life, your article is nothing less than offensive and a diatribe of hate.

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