The Gaza Conflict An FSU Perspective

The Gaza Conflict An FSU Perspective Tatiana-Rose BeckerFlorida State UniversityYear: SeniorMajor: Political Science/ International Affairs I have spent the last two months in Israel, here for the entirety of the Defensive Edge action in Gaza, the murder of the three yeshiva boys, and the murder of the Palestinian boy. I came here for an internship in the beginning of June and I have been reinvigorated in my love of Israel. The people in this nation have truly come together to support the government in a fight for their survival. I support this country first and foremost as a Jew. I believe every people with a shared culture, history, and language deserve their own state. I support Israel because it is a free democracy with freedom of the press, minorities have equal rights, and it is a beacon of hope for modernity in the Middle East. This current conflict in Gaza was and is inevitable. Unfortunately the situation left Israel with no option. The world criticizes Israel for striking Gaza and blowing up the tunnels, yet they never consider what would happen if this were any other country in the world. Would the US ever tolerate this? Would France? No. Historically that has never happened. People ask me why I support the state of Israel, or do I stand with her in the defense of the right to exist? Yes. I stand with Israel because I will not allow innocent civilians to be terrorized by radical Islamic militants and if those same terrorists are going to use civilians to hide their rockets then Israel has her hands tied and must go to whatever lengths necessary to protect her civilians. Any country on earth has a right to do so. Israel is no different. Ethan CohenFlorida State UniversityYear: SeniorMajor: Commercial Music I was in Israel from May 12-22. Israel is important to me because it is the Jewish State as well as the founding place for Judaism. Israel is like another home for me. I felt welcomed and became part of a bigger family I had never known. My view on this is that Hamas needs to be taken out of power if there is ever going to be peace in Israel/Gaza/West Bank. I believe that a terrorist group should not have any power in the negotiating process towards peace (especially if they use their own people as a shield). I absolutely stand with the Israel 100%. Haven MillerFlorida State UniversityYear: SophomoreMajor: Political Science/ International Affairs I spent six weeks in Israel with FSU’s International Programs from May 5th to June 13th, traveling all over the country but mostly staying in Jerusalem. Israel is important to me because it is the only place in the world where the Jews are always welcome. As someone who was bullied in high school for my religion, it’s refreshing to finally be the religious majority in a country It’s my belief that what is going on is truly devastating to both sides- Israelis and Palestinians. I think that there is one common enemy of both of these groups and it’s Hamas. Hamas is a recognized terrorist organization in control of the Gaza strip that is causing trouble for Israelis and its own people. Since the current conflict started, Hamas has launched thousands of rockets into Israel for one purpose- to kill Israeli civilians. Israel retaliates by sending rockets to known terrorist sites where Hamas stores weapons, terrorist bases, or terror tunnels leading into Israel. Unfortunately, Hamas has no regard for the lives of the Palestinian people, and builds many of their terrorist networks and launches rockets from civilian areas like schools, mosques, and even hospitals. All of these are facts, there is video proving it. There’s even a video of Hamas militants driving around in ambulances to disguise themselves from Israelis. The problem is, these facts are not always shown by the media. It’s been revealed that Hamas is issuing death threats to international reporters to not report the truth that Hamas is using innocent Palestinian civilians as human shields by urging them to stay in their homes and on the roofs even after the Israeli Defense Forces warns the civilians to leave. There are no videos or photos of Hamas on the news for the reason- they won’t allow it. So rather than seeing the aggressor in the conflict, when people turn on the TV they see terrible pictures of a bloody conflict and instantly think that Israel is the bad guy. BBC did a study and found that even some of the photos shown of the “tragedy in Gaza” are actually pictures from Syria’s war. Stephanie JablonFlorida State UniversityYear: SophomoreMajor: Education The last time I was in Israel was this past May on Birthright. That was my third time there. Israel means the world to me. It probably means the world to most Jews, too. That is the center of our world. Israel is the only place on earth where we are not only free to be Jewish, but encouraged to be as well. My views on the conflict with Gaza are as follows: Israel is doing what it needs to do to protect and defend itself against the terrorist government of Hamas that runs Gaza. I do understand the sympathy for those innocent civilians in Gaza who are forced to put their lives on the line and protect their terrorist, dictating, oppressive government. I have sympathy for them too. However, I cannot fathom ANYONE who has the slightest strip of sympathy for Hamas, who oppresses its people and threatens the only democracy in the Middle East. I 110 percent stand with Israel. It is my right as a Jew to have a place to call home, just like every other religion. Leon SultanFlorida State UniversityYear: SophomoreMajor: Psychology As a Jew the state of Israel means a lot to me. The Land of Israel, is land to us that was promised to us by G-d. Following the destruction of the second temple, Jews have been in diaspora for over a millennia. 1948 was truly a miraculous year, as the State of Israel was created as a safe haven and home for Jews in the Land of Israel itself! Following its creation Israel has constantly been in conflict with neighboring countries who refuse to live side by side with it peacefully. The conflict with Hamas is no different. Hamas, a designated terrorist organization by the E.U., U.S, U.K, and Australia, is sworn to the destruction of the state of Israel and Jews all over the world. It is Israel that is the victim in the round of violence it faces with Hamas. Israel has constantly been under the threat of destruction and has constantly fought many wars for the survival of its existence. The last thing Israel wishes to be is an instigator of conflict. When Israel goes to war, it does so because it is provoked. It does so to protect its people and its sovereignty. It never goes to war willingly and when it does, it does so in the most professional and collateral damage-free way as possible. Israel has no interest in committing genocide and killing innocent Palestinians as many in the media portray it to be. When Israel goes to war it targets those who harm the country and no one else. Hamas on the other hand shoots random indiscriminate rockets to kill as many civilians as possible. Its Hamas who wants war and destruction. It is Hamas who has instigated the latest round of violence. It is for these reasons that I stand for the State of Israel. It is simply acting in self defense. No other country would tolerate terrorists firing missiles at its civilians. Israel has the right to do it all in its capacity to keep the country and its civilians safe. Maci MorseFlorida State UniversityYear: JuniorMajor: Social Work Sadly, I haven’t been to Israel since my first visit during the summer of 2010, but I will never forget it. Israel has always been an important place to me because it is where my people are from. Growing up in a practicing Jewish family and going through nine years at a Jewish Day School made everything I had ever learned about Israel and my heritage real. To me, Israel means culture and, surprising to most, safety. While in Israel, I felt safer than I ever have in my entire life because of the minimal amount of crime and nearly a total absence of anti-Semitism. The current conflict with the Hamas organization compromises that safety and its upsetting. While I know that this conflict was inevitable and is distressing, I stand with Israel and always will. Emily SwerdloffFlorida State UniversityYear: JuniorMajor: Interior Design My name is Emily Swerdloff and I proudly stand with Israel. I grew up in a Jewish home, going to synagogue, and attending a Jewish sleep away camp. My mother was born in Israel and we have close family who still live there. Before I even visited the holy land, I felt a connection to Israel. Israel is the homeland to every Jew in this world. After the Holocaust, where six million Jews were senselessly murdered, Israel was founded for refuge. In the summer of 2011, I was lucky enough to visit Israel for the first time. Once I stepped out of the Ben Gurion Airport in 2011, I felt at home. I spent six weeks touring the country, making my way from the North to the South and visiting everywhere in between. Instantly, I fell in love. My connection to the State of Israel grew stronger as I embraced everything it had to offerculture, food, community. I believe everyone should experience the beauty of Israel. Hamas, a terrorist group controlling Gaza, rejects the existence of Israel. Hamas is responsible for precipitating this latest conflict by targeting civilians in Israel and launching rockets from civilian centers in Gaza. Israel has developed the Iron Dome to protect its citizens, while Hamas has put citizens in harms way, using them as human shields. Hamas used international money and supplies given for rebuilding Gaza to create underground tunnels into Israel for the sole purpose of executing terrorist attacks on the citizens of Israel. No other country would tolerate the continued attacks on its citizens. Israel has every right to defend herself. David WalkerFlorida State UniversityYear: JuniorMajor: Editing Writing and Media The last time I was in Israel was a couple months ago for Birthright. Before the trip Israel was remained just a vague notion of a homeland for a people I never really connected with. While I cant say I formed a bond akin to some of the others on my trip, I can say I found a sense of beauty in the countrys landscape and a level of patriotism and passion in its people that will stick with me forever. As for the conflict with Gaza, I can only say that I understand why Israel is doing what theyre doing without necessarily agreeing with it. Ive seen the bomb shelters, Ive seen the fear in peoples eyes when they talk about the potential of bombings, I (unlike many who seem to be new to this conflict) know what a toll terrorist groups like Hamas have taken on Israel. That said, the assault on Gaza is taking innocent lives and sowing more fear and hate among the native Palestinians. This is a no win situation for Israel but the ferocity of their approach to eradicate Hamas at any and all cost is not something I can not stand with. Brittany SinitchFlorida State UniversityYear: SophomoreMajor: English This [summer] was actually the first time that I have ever gone to Israel. It was the most incredible experience of my entire life. I went along with my best friend, Julie, and we walked away with memories, new friendships, and a whole new meaning of Israel. Israel is important to me for many reasons, but I think one of the biggest reasons why it is so important to me is because it is a place I know I could always go back to. Its a home away from home. Jewish people will always have a special place in Israel and I think thats beautiful that we can go back to such a remarkable place today. We have fought and fought over the years for our lives and today we have a home. Israel means everything to me. I think my connection with Israel grew stronger after visiting. It means safety, protection, love, hope, support, strength and just so much more. There is so much beauty within Israel, within the people there, and it just brings out all of the beauty inside of you. I think Israel changes people for the better and it leaves you with hope. I will always stand with Israel. Justin BoyarskyFlorida State UniversityYear: JuniorMajor: Social Science (Secondary) Education Israel feels like a second homeland to me. I have never in my life felt like I belonged anywhere more than I did in Israel. Israel is the one place in the world that all Jews (religious or not) are completely surrounded by their own people (no matter where the diaspora took them in the past). Its a special feeling thats honestly hard to explain. Israel is the one place on earth that Jews (shouldnt have to) be afraid/intimidated to be Jewish (secularly/culturally or religiously). Israel is the homeland. I also believe Israel has every right to defend herself. Its horrible to hear of civilian casualties, but its the ultimate consequence of this sort of unrest. I just would love to see peace in my lifetime, but I dont honestly know if I ever will. I do stand with Israel. I just believe settlement construction in the West Bank needs to halt. Its not productive in bringing peace to the region