By Elias Neibart ’16, Staff Writer

Anyone who paid attention to the news this past summer would find it difficult to ignore the escalating conflict between the Jewish State of Israel and Hamas, a terrorist organization that operates out of the Gaza Strip, a Palestinian territory on Israel’s south-western border. Although this conflict reaches far into the past, the recent violence was sparked when three Israeli teenagers were kidnapped in the West Bank, another Palestinian territory next to Israel’s eastern border. A patrol group discovered the bodies of these teenagers almost three weeks after their capture, and Israel blamed Hamas for their deaths. Although Hamas denied the claims, the Israeli government arrested many members of the terrorist group and raided many homes that were suspected of harboring terrorists. In retaliation, Hamas launched rockets indiscriminately into Israel, putting the lives of innocent Israeli civilians at risk. Seeing the attacks as an act of war, Israel conducted their own airstrikes in an attempt to neutralize Hamas’ stronghold in the region. The violence escalated quickly; Hamas continued to bombard Israel, and because of this, Israel felt forced to execute specific, carefully pointed counterattacks.

Israel, unlike its adversaries, only uses force when its people are endangered; it does not wish to initiate conflict with the people of Gaza. In fact, it sent a great deal of aid and support to the region, which was then stolen and depleted by Hamas. In addition, some media outlets have condemned Israel for bombing UN schools, claiming that Israel took the lives of hundreds of Palestinian children for no apparent reason. However, these reports fail to mention that Hamas uses these schools to launch their rockets and harbor deadly weapons. The schools also serve as hubs for Hamas’s intricate underground terror network, used to transport terrorists around Gaza and into Israel. Israel uses great precision in their attacks against these terrorist centers: they even send warnings to the Palestinian civilians before airstrikes. Despicably, however, Hamas urges the people of Gaza not to flee their homes during these attacks, allowing thousands of innocent civilians to die merely to diminish Israel’s international standing.

As of now, the violence has dramatically decreased. However, conflict and hatred between the Jewish State and those who oppose its existence has not disappeared and will not disappear anytime in the near future. In the charters of many terrorists groups, including Hamas, there is specific instruction to completely eradicate the State of Israel and to use the land to create a new state for the Muslim people, even though over twenty-five countries that consider themselves Muslim already exist. There is no relative morality between Hamas and Israel. Hamas is an Islamic radical organization that possesses no regard for human life, whereas Israel and its military always voice peace and use force only as a last resort to ensure the safety of its people. This conflict can only be resolved if Hamas gives up its control of the Gaza strip, so Israel can work towards a long-lasting ceasefire agreement with a less radical regime in Gaza. Israel wants peace, but only once the Palestinians accept Israel’s olive branch can the Middle East ever see peace.

It is clear why Newark Academy should support Israel in the fight against Hamas. Not only is Israel a haven for the Jewish people, but it is also a beacon of freedom and hope in an area of the world known for lawlessness and disregard for human life. As both Americans and Newark Academy students, we should value the precious freedoms on which our forefathers based our constitution, and we should support countries that wish to ensure these freedoms for their people. We must not admonish Israel for defending itself against a terrorist organization, nor should we turn a blind eye to the region and hope the conflict resolves itself. Rather, as advocates of liberty we should rally around Israeli people and assist them in overcoming the adversity and aggression they face in the fight for freedom.

This article reflects the opinion of one staff writer, not The Minuteman as a whole. To share your opinion, comment below!