In response to Janet Simmon’s critique of one of my past letters, I first thank her for agreeing with me that any and all terrorism is abhorrent and unethical. She does, however, choose to describe Hamas as a political party, which is a description I must challenge.
Hamas is a terrorist organization founded on the principles of destroying Israel by any means necessary. And though in political control over Gaza, they have never stopped their terrorist attacks upon Israel nor disavowed their founding principles.
It is because of this that the people of Gaza suffer all of the harsh limitations and military reprisals Israel is forced to apply in defending itself. Hamas is, in fact, the root cause of all the problems and suffering on both sides.
I contend that at any hour of any day if those in power in Gaza disavowed Hamas’ persecution/vendetta against the Jewish state and people, Israel would welcome peace and normalize relations and even help Gaza prosper.
The ball is, as always, in the hands of Islamic fundamentalists – a fact too few Americans understand. Problem is, Islam can never change because Muhammed forbids it from ever-changing, thus the endless wars and atrocities are doomed to continue, I fear.
Here in the greater Laconia area, it is apparent that Ms. Simmons is not alone in misunderstanding the nature that organizations like Hamas represent.
It might help their understanding better if they learned that nowhere in Islamic teachings is there the concept of human rights to be found. It orders what can or can’t be done and prescribes punishments, often cruel and utterly barbaric by our modern standards. It is not a culture people here in the Lakes Region would care to live by.
Before people decide to condemn one side or another in a dispute, it would be wise to try to understand all the facts involved, not just the PR they hear.
