Editor, The Beacon:

In response to the letter demanding suspension of all aid to Israel, I respect the author’s right to his opinion. At first blush, it might appear that Israel has gone too far. However, after discussing this with family and colleagues, I believe there is additional information that must be considered.

For example, the author refers to the situation prior to Oct. 7 as a “long-standing feud.” As I understand it, the Hamas-led Palestinian state of Gaza had a large number (thousands?) of citizens crossing into Israel each day to work and returning each night to Gaza. Over the years, prior to Oct. 7, many millions of dollars of aid flowed to Gaza, some of which was secretly used to prepare for the eventual war.

This appearance of a peaceful status quo (the so-called Two-State Solution) lulled Israel into a false sense of security.  The world now knows what some have known all along: Hamas and their ilk have, for centuries, hated the Jewish people. Hamas, and other Iranian-backed terrorists, were trying to eliminate Israel altogether. To garner world support after Oct. 7, Hamas fighters hid behind Palestinian children and women and under schools and hospitals, knowing that political supporters around the world would soon have plenty of pictures to show the damage done by the Israel Defense Forces.

Hamas “fighters” have no interest in stopping the war because their entire reason for being is based on hate. Hamas, knowing they cannot win on the battlefield, could have stopped the carnage at any time by simply surrendering. They chose to continue, hoping the world would take up their hatred of Israel.

Instead of condemning Israel, I will ask why didn’t the other Arab states offer to help the Gaza civilians and isolate the Hamas fighters?

Israel did not start this conflict, but none of their immediate neighbors came to their defense. Why are so many willing to condemn Israel when they are fighting for their very existence?  Other than the hatred Hamas has for the Jewish people, is there a logical reason for the Oct. 7 terrorist attack?

With prayers for all,

Joseph Godsey

Deltona