After reading a recent editorial on how Gainesville residents are ignorant about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, I noticed that the the ignorance was directed toward those that support Palestinians.
In America, we are allowed free speech, and any attempt to silence it is un-American. There are many reasons for people to support Palestinians and speak up about it. After all, the majority of the world finds the United States and Israel in the wrong. Are they ignorant, too?
I would love to see peace in the Middle East, but I do have some concerns with Israeli politics.
Long before this recent war, Israel imposed blockades, checkpoints, restrictions to humanitarian aid, settlement building, dividing walls, electricity shut-offs, etc., that have all created suffering and anger among many in the world, especially Palestinians. This fuels constant retaliation. People in Gaza are caged in without an airport, port or other means to live a normal life. Even media coverage is restricted.
Is this not enough to compare Israel to other oppressive regimes of the past and to protest? Why doesn't Israel start helping these people instead of creating more enemies? How about helping build schools and hospitals or allowing import of goods?
This would show the people of the world that they want peace instead of continued occupation and oppression.
