Not much has transpired since my last post. I had classes the past two days and they went well. I'm writing to reflect on the past couple days concerning the war.
It's on every TV around the hostel. After each and every one of my classes, we have discussion time. Whats been extremely upsetting to me is how it's being covered. Every time we turn on CNN, every time I go on to Comcast to read my email, I see headlines reading " Israel pounds in to Gaza", "Israel continues to relentlessly bomb Gaza". CNN interviews countless people living in Gaza who speak of living in fear.
I'm very one-sided on the matter. I almost feel guilty for it. Anti-Israel promoters are so defiant and outspoken, they dismiss entirely the other side of the spectrum. I feel as if by being one-sided it seems as if I'm doing the same. I came to Israel with the belief in the country's right to exist. I was uneducated in the Israel-Palestine conflict, although I had heard advocates from both sides in my family and I saw where both were coming from. The issue at hand was occupation; that's not the issue anymore.

Israel is an established nation. They're often blamed for "stealing the land" of the Palestinians, when in actuality in 1922 the League of Nations granted the UK a mandate of Palestine, which put forth the goal of "securing a Jewish home". Riots erupted in Jaffa (where I used to volunteer) and Jews were beaten and shot at. The police came, only to reinforce the Arabs. This occurred in May of 1921, nearly 90 years ago. The 1930's saw persecution of Jews, with 1939-1945 Holocaust killing nearly 6 million Jews. After all this information was taken in to account, I had decided I 100 % believed the Jews needed a home. But as I said, that's not the issue anymore.
Hamas intends to destroy Israel. If they gain the land they desire ( The west bank, East Jerusalem, and the Gaza strip), they will undoubtedly use the land to further execute their plan of eliminating Israel. This isn't in question. They threaten everyday lives of Israelis. Meanwhile, Arabs make up 20 % of Israel's population. The ability to coexist is one that could be easily achieved. Instead, Hamas vows to make Gaza Israel's grave.

The U.S and Canada view Hamas as a terrorist organization. The European union views Hamas as a terrorist organization. Jordan, a Muslim and Arab nation, has banned Hamas. So how can they're be rallies flooding the streets of San Francisco and other major cities around the world supporting a terrorist organization?
Pro-Palestine people wish for them to get their land back, so when Palestine fires 80 rockets into Israel, effectively breaking a 6 month ceasefire, does Israel just back off without protecting their country? Give them a mulligan and give the truce another go?
It saddens me certain facts are heard, and others aren't. Whats more depressing is the fact that the word of defiance is always louder and trumps that of defense. Something I've learned in my 19 years is I never want to be angry. The feeling consumes you. I watch videos and see the anger, violence, and hatred in people. It's a sad sight; I lose a little bit of hope for a better tomorrow.