Australia and the World Past and Present

Many pro-Palestine demonstrations are currently taking place all over the world.

Israel is currently engaged in a war with Hamas in Gaza.

There have been calls for Israel to bring about an immediate ceasefire.

Israel has been taken to the International Court of Justice.

There have been many denunciations of Israel’s actions from neighboring countries in the Middle East.

There are even some tensions between Israel and the United States.

Many are concerned about the potential impact on civilians from an assault on the southern city of Rafah.

Some have accused Israel of genocide and some have described Israel as an ‘Apartheid state’.

One thing that some pro-Palestine activists are missing from their narrative is what happened on October 7 of last year.

On that day, Hamas led attacks on Israelis in southern Israel. Over 1000 Israelis were killed. People were killed while attending a music festival. The majority of casualties were civilians. Children were also among the casualties.

Over 200 Israelis were also taken hostage by Hamas and taken back to Gaza. Some were released back to Israel through negotiated ceasefires but other remain as hostages.

October 7 represented the largest loss of Jewish life since the Holocaust.

This was the immediate trigger that led to the the current war.

If October 7 hadn’t taken place, is it likely that we would have seen the death and destruction that is currently taking place in Gaza? Almost certainly no.

Some pro-Palestine activists are reluctant to mention the October 7 attacks or to denounce them.

The Hamas attacks have roused the Israeli military. This is no war of equals. The Israeli defense force is modern and well-equipped.

Israel sees itself as surrounded by hostile neighbours.

It has fought multiple wars since the state was created.

Why did Hamas believe that their attacks on October 7 were the best action for the people of Gaza? The people of Gaza have suffered mightily since the attacks.

There are calls for Israel to get out Gaza and for the creation of a Palestinian state. If that means a Gaza where Hamas is the governing authority, how can Israel be satisfied that there will be no further attacks like October 7? This adds yet another complication for any lasting peace proposal.

There are many calls for Israel to stop the war. But there are less calls for Hamas to stop the war. Why?

Hamas still holds Israeli hostages. Where are the calls for Hamas to release them and put an end to further bloodshed?

We can acknowledge the suffering going on in Gaza but we should also recognise the suffering that Israel has seen.