Bottom line: Hamas’ cause is just. Their methods may
be worthy of critique, but their cause – the liberation of Palestinians
from the Jews' oppression – is honorable.
By Kathryn Shihadah: If, over eight months into the genocide on Gaza, you are still obsessed
with the violence of October 7th and the alarming situation in which
dozens of Israeli prisoners in Gaza still find themselves – this is for
you.
WARNING: If you can’t handle the truth, this post may cause
dizziness, difficulty breathing, rapid pulse, and/or nausea. This is
perfectly normal, and may signify a change in paradigm. Do not stop
reading.
The standard (i.e. Israeli) narrative – how we’ve grown accustomed to telling the story
On October 7th, 2023, members of the
terrorist group Hamas broke through the fence that surrounds Gaza and
attacked Jews, killing 1,200 of them in cold blood, raping
and/or beheading many of them before burning their bodies.
Several hundred Jews were taken prisoner that day and brought to Gaza.
Not long after, Israeli leaders
unleashed air, ground, and sea attacks on the population of Gaza in
order to destroy Hamas and liberate the hostages.
In November, Israel procured freedom for a large number of the hostages during a temporary ceasefire. Since then, Israel has rescued a few more. Several dozen remain in captivity in Gaza.
Over three hundred Israeli soldiers have lost their lives fighting to eradicate Hamas and retrieve the rest of the hostages.
Unfortunately, Hamas has embedded
itself in the civilian population of Gaza, so a large number of
civilians have been killed in the process.
Based on this narrative, many people are baffled by the huge crowds
that come out to support Palestine and by those who refuse to “condemn
Hamas” at the outset of any discussion or debate.
I have found people of faith – even those that ostensibly support the
Palestinian cause in general – often insist that condemnation of Hamas
is a must.
Here is why I, as a believer in Jesus, won’t be condemning Hamas anytime soon.