Israel/Hamas war painted as one-sided

We deplore the rocket barrage Hamas has been firing against Israeli neighborhoods. We also see Israel's military response as disproportionate and unjustified.

The U.S. media describes the conflict between "the two sides" neglecting to mention the gross inequalities in military power, casualties and legal status between Israel and the Palestinians.

Israel is a sovereign nation state. The Palestinians are not. As a nation state Israel has an army, a navy, an air force, fighter jets, helicopter gunships and tanks. Israel's military actions are described as "self-defense" even while it kills large numbers of civilians. Hamas, the governing body in Gaza, only has weapons as can be smuggled in through tunnels. Because it is not a recognized nation state, any violence Hamas uses is automatically labeled "terrorism."

The Palestinians live in "territories" occupied by the Israeli Defense Force. Israel controls the borders and controls everything coming in or out. For 18 months, Israel held a blockade, preventing trade, including in food and medicine, between Gaza and the outside world.

Hamas is rightly condemned for its refusal to acknowledge Israel's right to exist. But Israeli and U.S. leaders and parties do not acknowledge any right of the Palestinians to exist, have sovereignty, or defend themselves.

There are legitimate historical reasons for Israel's strong sensitivity to any denial of its right to exist. But, the Palestinians have lived in the quasi-prison of military occupation for 40 years. They, too, have historical reasons for their outrage.

We call for a complete cease fire by all sides and for a complete Israeli withdrawal from the occupation and all its settlements within the Palestinian territories. Then a real peace process could begin.

Mary Shesgreen

Elgin

Bob Brill

Elburn

Fox Valley Citizens for Peace and Justice