Israel and Gaza: Unpacking the Complexities of an Enduring Conflict for the Uninitiated

In 2005, Israel withdrew unilaterally from every last inch of Gaza. This withdrawal, which included dismantling 21 Israeli settlements and handing them over to the Palestinian Authority, was executed under Prime Minister Ariel Sharon. The motivating philosophy was "land for peace"—a belief that exchanging control of territories would secure peace in return. Though the land was relinquished, peace has yet to be realized. That was 18 years ago.

Hamas's charter categorically calls for the extermination of all Jews and the obliteration of the state of Israel, fervently broadcasting its genocidal views for all to hear. It's paramount to underscore that world governments acknowledge Hamas as a terrorist organization. Anyone too naïve to understand this reality is struggling to comprehend plain English. For a thorough examination, the Hamas Charter is accessible at Yale Law School's Avalon Project. The explicit and incendiary declarations made by Hamas to kill all Jews are unconscionable. Those supporting Hamas as "freedom fighters" - I ask if you also are aligned with Hamas stated purpose of the genocide of all the Jews in the world?

Israel, where 23% of the population is Arab, embodies a diverse tapestry of cultures and religions. The Jewish state is home to mosques, churches, temples, shrines, and other secure places of worship, protecting a colorful mosaic of Druze, Bedouin, Christian, Muslim, Jewish, and adherents of many other religions. In Israel, neither race, religion, sexuality, gender, nor skin color disqualifies you from holding positions in the Knesset, becoming prime minister, serving as a Supreme Court justice, participating as an Olympic athlete, founding a tech company, or pursuing any other role.

Since Israel's withdrawal, Hamas has initiated smaller-scale military conflicts with Israel in 2006, 2008, 2011, and 2018, as well as engaging in large-scale wars in 2008–09, 2012, 2014, and 2021.

Every day, ordinary Palestinians suffer under Hamas's oppressive rule. Committing horrific acts, such as murdering girls and boys, killing innocent grandmothers and sharing images of their dead bodies on their own Facebook pages for their family to see, or massacring people at a music festival, are not actions undertaken by anyone striving to build, or fight for, a flourishing society.

As someone who has comprehensively read the Quran, the Torah, and the Bible, and who cherishes friends of Muslim, Jewish, and Christian faiths—some being my closest allies—I maintain hope that terrorist entities in the Middle East will be eradicated.

Reflecting on the wisdom within the Quran, especially the cautionary message of 3:7, reveals the potential for sacred texts to be manipulated by those seeking to justify their violent actions and seize power. This verse hints at the misinterpretation of its words by those harboring malevolent intent, thus seeding conflict. Hamas is exploiting selective religious interpretations, not to advance peace, but to validate violence and dominance, straying from the peaceful teachings of Islam. It is paramount that an accurate and sincere understanding of our varied religious teachings carve a path toward genuine peace and cooperation among all people.

Let's acknowledge that all three of these world religions trace back to a common forefather: Abraham. May the shared lineage of Judaism, Christianity and Islam light a path toward unity and peace, extinguishing the hatred and violence that blemish our shared human experience. Ultimately, recognizing our interconnected past might be the catalyst needed to build a harmonious future for all.