My Sympathies

Submitted by Kepha Hor (United States), Nov 22, 2012 at 14:21

I feel much sympathy for the people of Gaza--just as I feel for a dog lying panting, bloody, and broken by the side of the highway. But I keep in mind that the dog got to its place by trying to bite the tires of a passing car.

In the Iraq war, Sadam put military sites in the midst of civilians. I also understand that Hamas even has child preachers calling for jihad against the Jews, and glorifies suicide bombers who target civilians.

So, I wonder. Perhaps the culture of ancient Canaan, which sacrificed its firstborn to Ba'al, expected bloody-mindedness in its adults. If so, I am no longer horrified when I read the exhortations in the Pentateuch and Joshua to exterminate them. And, perhaps, I can understand the Mongol generals going "practical" and killing off as much of the adult populations as possible in the Islamic cities they conquered (even if some of my family were made refugees by the Mongols, albeit on the other side of Asia).

I think I'll spare my tears should the Israelis retaliate.

Note: Opinions expressed in comments are those of the authors alone and not necessarily those of Daniel Pipes. Original writing only, please. Comments are screened and in some cases edited before posting. Reasoned disagreement is welcome but not comments that are scurrilous, off-topic, commercial, disparaging religions, or otherwise inappropriate. For complete regulations, see the "Guidelines for Reader Comments".