Point of view from someone in Israel about conflict

Rachel Sofaer

I am so angry and frustrated at John Oliver and people who are presenting one side of the story here in the Middle East. Saying that Palestinians are being evicted and "ethnically cleansed" from their homes, without explaining that they have refused to pay rent for over 30 years, saying that Israeli police "attacked innocent worshippers in a mosque" without explaining that those people attacked a police outpost, gathered with weapons, and were violently rioting, saying that "Israel blew up a building that housed international press" without explaining that Hamas was controlling the building etc. etc. People should not use little quotes from articles, like "Palestinian children dead" and then not explain that children are dead because of Hamas's own rockets backfiring. Israel does not need to apologize for being stronger or having better weapons. When your country is attacked by a terrorist organization you will do whatever is necessary to protect your citizens. The Israel Defense Forces specifically targets areas in Gaza that terrorists are conducting activity and shooting rockets from. We do not target civilians, unlike Hamas. So yes it is unfortunate and upsetting that innocent people are suffering because of this conflict, but that does not mean that Israel is acting "disproportionately." Just wondering how all of you would feel if your country were being attacked by thousands of rockets? Would you condemn your government for fighting back or would you be thankful that they are doing their duty and protecting you and your loved ones? Food for thought.