True success is not measured by the battles won, but by the peace and unity achieved. — Nelson Mandela
The recent violence in Israel and Gaza is a tragedy that has caused immense suffering for civilians on both sides. I condemn terrorism in all forms and the actions of Hamas on October 7th were heinous, barbaric, and evil beyond words.
The lives of civilians in Israel are no more valuable than the lives of civilians in Gaza. Israel has the right to defend its people, but it must do so in a way that minimizes civilian casualties and complies with international law.
There is no equivalency between the terrorist actions of Hamas and the Israeli government. Hamas is a terrorist organization that has repeatedly targeted civilians, while the Israeli government is a democratically elected government that is responsible for protecting its citizens.
However, the civilians of Gaza have been mistreated by both the Israeli government and their Hamas leaders. The Israeli blockade of Gaza has caused widespread poverty and humanitarian suffering, while Hamas has used violence and intimidation against its own people.
I urge all sides to end the violence and work towards a peaceful resolution to this conflict. The people of Israel and Gaza deserve to live in peace and security.