israel and gaza

Jerusalem Post: Gaza storm

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Excerpt from an editorial in the Israeli newspaper on May 15:

The large death toll from Monday’s violent protests show that the situation in Gaza is far more complicated than simply Hamas leaders inciting rioters to attack the security barrier. Even though the IDF defended the legality of using live fire against protests at a High Court challenge in late April, the larger question goes beyond what may be legal, to what may be in Israel’s best interests. That involves taking into account the international impact. …

The juxtaposition of the violence with the gala celebrations held the same day in Jerusalem for the U.S. Embassy move and in Tel Aviv for the return of Netta Barzilai from her Eurovision Song Contest victory only magnified the loss of lives in the global coverage and was manipulated by critics to portray Israel as callous and uncaring.…

The best response now is outreach to Gazans, not to Hamas but to Gazans who are not being served by the prison that Hamas has created for them. … Only Palestinians can decide the future of the Gaza Strip. They should want a future without Hamas and with a functioning government that would receive widespread support. …