Doveline Press

The mainstream media and political establishment ought to be more careful as to how they use the term “anti-Semitic” to characterize college/university protests.

“All men are created equal.” Every human life possesses the same intrinsic value regardless of religion, gender, behavior, race, or ethnicity.

The signs used at these protests should be indicative of the latter truths. It would better serve their purpose in promoting human rights for the Palestinians. The communications should engender the message of “The Golden Rule” ( “Treat every human being the way you want to be treated.”) from the Sermon on the Mount.

Hamas’ horrendous action in October 2023 should be condemned. And so too, the killing of thousands of innocent Palestinians in Gaza by the Israeli defense forces. The media is mixing – with one broad stroke – “Hamas” and “Palestinians.” That broad stroke is not acceptable and causes misunderstanding.

There is nothing wrong with protesting for human rights for the Palestinians and doing so in light of what the Carpenter from Nazareth (Jesus), Mahatma Gandhi, and Martin Luther King, Jr. expressed: non-violence and the equality and intrinsic value of every human being. There is nothing wrong with respectfully expressing one’s opinion that America’s foreign policy is often one-sided. Respect and promote fair/honest dialogue concerning the equality of all human beings, Israelis and Palestinians.

People should educate themselves and not rely on a biased media concerning this longstanding Palestinian-Israeli conflict. Unfortunately, with expanded Israeli settlements in Palestinian areas the opportunity of a two-state solution is diminished.

Signs held up at rallies by those who support “abortion” say ‘Bans off our bodies’ and ‘Abortion is health care’. We should help those who feel they have no other option as they are worthy of our support and compassion as human beings; and the system should also make adoption an easier alternative for all those who feel they do not want their babies for whatever reason, so, those unwanted babies are not aborted and can have life with other families.

What is abortion? It is the taking of a human life (the unborn child), which is “murder.” Joe Biden, a Catholic, says ‘personal freedom’ when discussing this issue. He is making the right of abortion as his top priority if he should get re-elected. Imagine promoting abortion rights until the ninth month? How cruel! On the campaign trail, he and his wife as well as his Vice President Harris are pro-actively promoting abortion as a ‘right’. Why doesn’t the Catholic Church address him on this matter? After all, the Catholic clergy has been the catalyst for the protection of human life from cradle to grave.

Per the Declaration of Independence, “…all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.” The purpose of government is “to secure these Rights” and the right to life of the unborn child falls within this gamut.

Celebrating and protecting human life, not taking human life should be an accepted mantra of society. Once society recognizes that the taking of human life is wrong, it will advance in terms of humanity’s possibilities to love one another and ‘ to treat every human being as you would want to be treated.’ (The Golden Rule).

What the Hamas did in their bombardment of Israel is reprehensible. These atrocities should be condemned as the U.S. government has done. We should all be saddened by the loss of Israeli lives. But, let us not sanction or bolster the war-making machine to bombard Gaza as an act of vengeance. This will only result in the killing of innocent Palestinians who live there and broaden the conflict even further. America needs no more proxy wars or involvement of its own military forces in foreign places. “Violence begets violence,” and that is the course that is being charted.

The U.S. Congress and Biden administration have sent a one-sided response, not even acknowledging the existence of innocent Palestinians living in Gaza. They have sent a green light to Israel to go and destroy and further kill in Gaza. There are other ways to handle the “Hamas” without destroying innocent Palestinians living on that land. They and others living on the West Bank have suffered immensely over the past several decades.

Long before this current conflict, it was documented in 2017 that the electricity in Gaza operates only a few hours a day and it affects medical care, surgeries, refrigeration of food, etc. No water, no proper sewage facilities, no street lights, no free movement of people as a result of Israel’s occupation and restrictions. ( DemocracyNow.org, July 19, 2017). In a 2014 Amnesty International report, documentation exists concerning the violence used against Palestinians even during non violent demonstrations for their human rights.

Pope Francis in his latest statement, acknowledges the right of the Israelis to defend themselves, but he also acknowledges the Palestinians who live in Gaza, who are also human beings. Unfortunately, they have been subject to hostilities by the Israeli government for years. The mainstream media never reports on these atrocities because it is biased, one-sided, or completely ignorant. The politicians currying electoral favor, repeat the same themes over and over. So, the American public is propagandized and lacks all the facts concerning this ongoing saga of human rights violations, increased Israeli settlements, etc. against the Palestinians which make a two-state solution insurmountable.

In July/August 2014, the Israeli attacks against Gaza ended up with more than 2,100 Palestinians versus 67 Israeli soldiers and six Israeli civilians killed, and an additional 7,000 Palestinians wounded, and more than 200,000 Palestinians displaced. In the past, UN humanitarian coordinator Robert Piper commented, “I see this extraordinarily inhuman and unjust process of strangling, gradually, 2 million civilians in Gaza that really pose a threat to nobody.” (2017). The U.S. and the international community should not be giving the green light to more of the same with the possibility of even greater casualties this time. It is time to beat the drums for a peace settlement so that both Israelis and the Palestinians gain security and peaceful co-existence.

Instead of promoting war, why can’t America be the peacemaker? The U.S. provides billions of dollars and military equipment annually to the state of Israel. So, bring everyone to the table now.

We should remember that one of the catalysts for America’s 9/11 is the issue of Palestine. According to many scholars, “it is the region’s most festering open wound, and the oft-stated justification for the rise of Islamic terrorism.” (John Pilger, October 11, 2014). Former General David Patraeus in March 2010 testified before the Senate Armed Services Committee acknowledging that the Palestinian-Israeli “conflict foments anti-American sentiment, due to a perception of US favoritism for Israel. Arab anger over the Palestinian question limits the strength … of US partnerships with governments and peoples.” In addition, he indicated that this gives “Iran influence in the Arab world through its clients, Lebanese Hezbollah and Hamas.” ( Times of Israel.com, July 25, 2013). He had to walk back his statements after his testimony to the Senate committee due to external pressures. In addition, former Secretary of Defense James Mattis reportedly stated in 2013 at the Aspen Security Forum in Colorado, responding to a questioner, “that America pays a price for its perceived bias in support of Israel.” ( Times of Israel.com, July 25, 2013). Mattis also alluded to the fact that Israeli settlements erase the chance for a two-state solution accord.

The mainstream media with rare exception has condemned those who have other political beliefs concerning this most recent development with the Hamas horrendous attack. They use the word “Anti-semitic” to describe those who do not tow the party line. Shame on the media and on any institution to try and label someone “Anti-semitic” – which is another word for “racism” – for having diverse opinions on America’s foreign policy in the Mid-east, especially as it relates to America’s ally Israel. Peaceful co-existence, respect for human life, and human rights protection for all should be lauded.

Condemnation of these acts by the Hamas is a moral imperative. Promoting another war which will result in greater casualties is a dead end! Ordering people to leave their homes in Gaza within 24 hours is not practicable; conditions are already deplorable. If there was real political leadership, the Biden Administration and other international actors along with Congress would be calling for a sit down meeting with all parties to seek ways to avoid more destruction and killing of innocent lives. All lives are sacred no matter what religion, race, culture, ethnicity, etc. The intrinsic value of every human being is equal.

Until the world and elected officials actually try and aspire to the Law of Love (God’s greatest commandment) and Jesus’ words, “Love your enemy,” war will continue to be the way of solving nation-state conflicts. Humanity will destroy itself if we continue on this path of vengeance. Let us not promote hatred but understanding to deal with such horrific situations on the world scene.

Maybe it is time to heal the deep wounds of the longstanding Israeli-Palestinian conflict by initiating a ‘Truth and Reconciliation Commission’ along the model of Archbishop Desmond Tutu when the people of South Africa were able to reach reconciliation between the victims and the perpetrators of apartheid. Forgiveness and moving forward peaceably are needed more than ever to prevent further bloodshed, hatred, and other atrocities against Israelis and Palestinians.