Editor,
In a letter published in the Daily Lobo on Monday concerning Chinese and Tibetan people, the phrase "brutal suppression of minorities" in reference to Israel and Palestinians caught my attention.
I want to pose the question: Who is suppressing whom? Hamas and other Palestinian terrorists in Gaza have fired more than 400 rockets and mortar shells into Israel since the beginning of January.
Two Israeli girls playing in the yard outside their home were injured by a rocket attack. When the sirens go off in the southern town of Sderot, residents have just 16 seconds to reach shelter before rockets fall.
During the last month, rockets have been landing almost continuously in Sderot. The elderly cannot get to the shelters and have no choice but to hope for safety. The children suffer from sleep deprivation, anxiety and depression.
The rockets, including Qassams and Katyushas, have caused countless injuries and deaths. Rockets from Gaza, occupied by Palestinians, are routinely fired from civilian areas for the purpose of deterring Israeli counterattacks.
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Palestinian propaganda routinely blames Israel for targeting civilians. The fact that they routinely fire from civilian areas belies that accusation.
Recently a Palestinian living in east Jerusalem burst into a Jewish seminary and killed eight students. All except one of them were teenagers.
There were celebrations in the West Bank and Gaza - dancing in the streets and children were given candy. Hamas leaders blessed the attack and promised more.
This pattern has been played out many times before and hints at a moral gulf between the two cultures.
"We are going to win, because they love life, and we love death," said Hassan Nasrallah, leader of Hezbollah. Until the Palestinians cease relishing the murder of Israelis, the conflict will go on.
Mae Eye
UNM alumnus
