There are so many reasons that Israel will give to prove we are not committing genocide but are seeking to rescue our 130 odd people who were taken hostage and to stop the agression against our people.  I’m sure Israel will raise the obvious defenses in court.

But I would like to add my 2 cents.  The only reason Hamas hasn’t committed genocide is that they haven’t succeeded.  They have certainly tried hard enough.  They started out successfuly, but we were able to stop them, and defend ourselves with good alarm systems and by going into shelters.  These are things that the Gazan people could also have done – but the Hamas wouldn’t allow it.  They wouldn’t even allow the citizens to hide in the tunnels – a decision that would have saved thousands of lives.  

The population of Gaza participated in the guarding of hostages.  I know I’ve said this before and I’m sure there were many who were forced to participate in creating inhuman circumstances for the hostages, and were persuaded that these people who had been snatched from their beds or from a party were animals and deserved beatings and rapes and starvation.  Nevertheless, they cannot be considered innocent.

Genocide of Palestinians?  How is it that the population keeps expanding geometrically? Are we so inefficent?  I have not stopped loving the Arab people I have known – including those I have met in Gaza.  

I have taught hundreds of  Israeli Arabs – I have created teachers, researchers, and have helped them to learn to think for themselves and respect their heritage and folklore.  And I have been greatly enriched by their friendship.  May it continue and grow.  And may the need for violence disappear entirely.