After Hamas’ horrific Oct. 7, 2023, massacre of 1,200 Jews and the seizure of 250 Jewish hostages, the headlines cried out in shock, anger and astonishment. The New York Times wrote, “As world leaders condemned the attacks — and questions arose about how Israeli intelligence had been so surprised — ordinary citizens tried to make sense of what was happening.”
On Oct. 7, 2023, New York Times columnist Bret Stephens wrote: “Thanks to defensive systems like Iron Dome, Hamas’s punches, while frequent and menacing, rarely landed. For Israelis, Gaza seemed relatively contained. That was, until this weekend. Whatever happens next in the current war, this concept (to borrow another term from the Yom Kippur War era, related to Israel’s confidence that it wouldn’t be attacked) has clearly failed. Israel has a clear interest not just in punishing Hamas but also in ending its rule for good.”
For much of the world, this was the reaction — at least at first: Hamas must go — and must go by force given its refusal to live in peace next to Israel. But soon Israel stood accused of “genocide” because of the unavoidable deaths of civilian noncombatants in Gaza. Hamas “fights” by putting military installations in, beneath or around hospitals, schools and mosques to guarantee the killing of civilians. Meanwhile, many of Hamas’ leadership reside far from the battlefield in Qatar and Turkey.
The strategy is working. Consider this exchange between influential podcaster Joe Rogan and commentator Coleman Hughes:
Rogan: “I’m saying that when you’re killing 30,000 innocent civilians in response to something that killed 1,200 innocent civilians, and you’re continuing to bomb an area into oblivion, which is what it looks like when you’re looking at Gaza. There are many people that have made the argument that is at least the steps of genocide or a form of genocide. You’re destroying thousands and thousands of people’s homes and killing them.”
Hughes: “So, Hamas says 32,000 people have been killed, civilians and soldiers. Israel says 13,000 soldiers have been killed by Israel. So, if you just — well, let’s not doubt either number. They could both be inflated. But if both of those numbers are accurate, which they may or may not be, that would be 13,000 soldiers killed, 19,000 civilians killed. Which for urban combat in the Middle East is a very normal ratio.”
Rogan: “But it’s mostly women and children that are dying, that are dying because they’re in a place where these terrorists are.”
Hughes: “Because the terrorists on purpose embed themselves with the civilian population, which is a war crime. … (T)errorists have found the perfect solution, which is that you can cross the border, go house to house, slaughtering your enemies, and then hide behind your own people, and they can do nothing about it. It’s a perfect strategy. Can we live in a world where we allow that to be an acceptable strategy? I don’t think so.”
After this exchange, Rogan appeared to have a greater understanding of Israel’s dilemma. But this moral problem Israel attempts to navigate does not stop Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), New York mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani, Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.) and others from accusing Israel of committing genocide.
Genocide? Accepting Hamas’ numbers of Gazans killed by Israel, which does not separate combatants from civilians, this “genocide” represents 3% of the population of Gaza. According to the Holocaust Encyclopedia, “By 1945, most European Jews — 2 out of every 3 — had been killed.” Human Rights Watch estimates that the Rwandan mass slaughter of the Tutsis eliminated as much as 77% of their population.
President Donald Trump recently offered Hamas a plan to end the “genocide.” Even Emmanuel Macron, the president of France, one of many Western countries choosing to recognize Palestine as an independent country, said, “Hamas has no choice but to immediately release all hostages and follow this plan.”
U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer and ex-U.K. Prime Minister Tony Blair back Trump’s plan for ending the war in Gaza — as do Israel, Qatar, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, Pakistan, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and the European Council.
So, the ball’s now in Hamas’ court to end the “genocide.” Don’t expect much. Terrorists terrorize.
Larry Elder is a bestselling author and nationally syndicated radio talk-show host. To find out more about Larry Elder, or become an “Elderado,” visit his site. Follow Larry on X @larryelder. To read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate webpage.
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Because it seem Americans have the attention span of a knat, and the younger generation don’t give a crap, and easily tooled by our enemies. I will never forget October 7. Screw Palestine.
These terrorist groups take control of the local populace through intimidation and spewing lies about the Israeli nation. These groups receive help, money and arms through the main enemies of Israel = Iran, Turkey, Libya. Sudan and Saudi Arabia (money support). These groups use the local populace as screens between them and Israeli forces. Israel is tired of the non-functioning UN as the UN blames Israel rather than the true culprits for all the region’s problems. Israel is doing what can to protect themselves from these terrorist groups. Israel is not going away.
As long as Hamas exists there will be nothing but conflict, world leaders will be sending strongly condemning notes and UN will be issuing resolution strongly condemning the attacks. Same old. And the world goes round as it had done for the last at least 70 years. Hamas destroys, we send the “aid” to repair, time to get off that merry go round.
I have not forgotten. The US absolutely must get out of the UN and the US should get the UN off of American soil! The only goal of the UN is to destroy America!
The left and all the radicals have made it so much chaos that it is hard to focus on any one thing that goes on. Nobody has forgotten about any of it, but it is just one of the many things that is going on right now and we can only focus on just so many things at one time. People need to realize that this is exactly what they are aiming for is to create so much chaos that no one can focus on one thing and what they are doing behind the scenes.
I commented here yesterday as a new member, but that comment isn’t showing. That seems odd, especially considering the terrible comments of Casey Matt. That makes me wonder what actually matters at this conservative organization? I’d like to think that basic GOODNESS and decency matters the most here at AMAC, but his comments are terrible lies against the Jews–people who are used to these evil slanders after 30 centuries of such behavior.
I’ll support Israel over Hamas! When I see my Lord and Savior, I’ll want to tell Him I supported the good guys!
America first.
Those Gaza same people stood in lines & cheered as Hamas drove jeeps loaded with’ captured Israeli Students, unarmed people from a concert, and young men & women snatched from their homes. Hamas has brazenly publicized their abuse & mis-treatment of women prisoners & their viscous treatment of all prisoners. They are STILL HOLDING & abusing PRISONERS from that Raid. They have Zero room to complain. They started it in a most vicious manner.
And to think, there are still those who push a two state solution. We had that until October 7. This is a weak group, who is so fearful of Hamas, that they voted them into leadership. What happened on October 7, should never happen again. I support Israel’s position. the innocent people, may not be that Innocent.
I have gone from a staunch supporter of Israel..to thinking of BB and his ppl as an occupier of my country..especially after watching the documentary about the USS Liberty..he plays Trump like a fiddle and it breaks my heart he doesn’t see it..i am of the mind that it’s quite possible that Oct 7th was false flag..and a sure fire way of doubt complete extermination of a ppls..they may be Gods chosen ppl but when Jesus comes I believe they will have much to answer for. They have fallen far from what God promised them and the atrocities committed on both the sides is inexcusable. They act more like gehadists than God’s chosen ppl. And I do hate saying and thinking this way..but I cannot lie to what my own eyes witness. And to think they may have had something to do with the slaughter of Charlie Kirk truly makes me ill.
Reviewing these comments highlights just how deeply divided our nation has become, especially with the hostility and insults faced when views differ. This division is regrettable because it benefits those in power who do not truly serve the American people. Both major parties have deceived voters to gain office, focusing more on keeping us divided than addressing real issues. Meanwhile, critical infrastructure continues to deteriorate without meaningful repair. President Trump is largely continuing surveillance started by Biden. MAGA supporters once championed free speech, but now Republicans are suppressing opposition similarly. Additionally, where is the MAGA outcry over Palantir? This powerful tech company assists the government in tracking and controlling people’s movements, behaviors, and data through advanced surveillance programs. Are Americans willing to live under such pervasive monitoring and loss of freedom? This ongoing division and absence of accountability threaten both liberty and progress.
Yep, pure as the driven snow are those Israeli’s. I mean why would those people try to bust out of the concentration camp setting Israel had so generously provided them?
And how can we criticize those that insist they are “Gods Chosen People”, when they openly make up factual lies such as the hundreds of raped Israeli women during the break out or the complete fabrication of the “beheaded babies” bs? I mean, come on…..they are “Gods Chosen” after all.
And we gentiles must continue to overlook the peculiar Israeli practice of using anal rape as a means to keep order in their concentration camps. The lowly Herr Shickelgruber didn’t even stoop to that level of degeneracy.
President Trump, you are approaching 80 years of age. St Peter is sitting on the swing on your front porch pratically. How are you going to explain to him your complicity in the mass murder of women and children in Gaza? You being possibly blackmailed by the Israelis for perhaps pedophilia with your former buddy Jeff Epstein ain’t gonna cut it with St Peter.
Have a great Eternity Mr. President.
Westerners have inflicted thousands of times more deaths, so Westerners should not interfere with this.