Ordinary Gazans

Jeff Herbst argues that the October 7th massacre of Israelis was not only the work of Hamas, but also of ordinary Gazans. He cites evidence of Gazans looting and taking part in killings and kidnappings, and of Gazans cheering on the murders and humiliating the captives. He argues that the world has refrained from assigning responsibility to those beyond Hamas out of fear of justifying collective punishment, a desire to claim sympathy for the Palestinian cause, and an attempt to rescue some hope for a two-state solution. He concludes by saying that honoring the dead and acting respectfully in the face of such atrocities requires telling the truth.

Read the article in NY Daily News.