While tensions between Israel and Palestine have been making headlines for three-quarters of a century, the recent attack by Hamas on Israel has dominated the news internationally. Hamas, officially the Islamic Resistance Movement, is a military group that seized control of Gaza from Palestinian authority in 2007. As part of their aim to annihilate Israel, Hamas attacked Israel on Oct. 7. In response, Israel ordered an evacuation of the Gaza Strip to prepare the area for warfare. A lack of water, food, and fuel has made the situation in Gaza dire for Palestinians. Thousands of innocent civilians from both Israel and Palestine have died as a result of almost two weeks’ worth of violence (Associated Press).
Further conflict has erupted between people in other nations who have decided their allegiance lies with one side and not the other. Given the history surrounding recent tragedies, it is natural for people to have strong opinions with deep emotional roots. However, that should not stop us from promoting peace and advocating for the end of violence against the innocent.
The complex, longstanding history of tensions between Israelis and Palestinians cannot be explained in one article. Nor can I, as a college student, claim that I am educated enough to understand the nuances of the issue well enough to assign blame to either side. The solution to 75 years of conflict cannot be reduced to a single opinion in a social media post. Or even a letter from students at one of America’s most prestigious universities.
The only thing I know for sure as a student who supports the mission of our Catholic institution is that every life lost, be it Israeli or Palestinian, young or old, is a tragedy. As of Oct. 16, the Hamas attack in Israel killed more than 1,400 people and an estimated 3,000 Palestinians in Gaza were killed in Israeli attacks, according to Al Jazeera. The United Nations reports that one million people have been displaced in Gaza.
This disturbing news has sparked outcry from many, including college students. A letter by the Harvard Palestine Solidarity Committee (PSC) has made headlines for being an insensitive response to the Hamas attack. It was signed by 34 student organizations and held “the Israeli regime entirely responsible for all unfolding violence.”
The timing of the letter following the attack in Israel was highly concerning. With so many innocent civilian casualties on both sides, the primary goal should be ending unnecessary violence and working for peace between all peoples.