How Gazans facilitated their own misery

“Do the nations of the world actually care about the welfare of the Gazans or are the Gazans mere pawns being used to harm Israel?” That was the question posed by Israeli professor, Ari Zivotofsky in his article, which advocates for the right of freedom of movement for Gazans. 

Citing a variety of other ethnicities who were forced to migrate, due to wars and other hardships, he points out how each of these people groups had the freedom to leave their respective countries in the hope of making a better life for themselves, unlike Gazans, who have been “barred from leaving,” claiming that “when Israel suggested voluntary Gazan emigration, the EU and UK slammed it.”

He further states that refuge has not been offered to Gazans by any neighboring countries, including the “wealthy Gulf sheikhdoms, the enlightened West, nor litigious South Africa.” So, he’s quite right to wonder why they lack the same rights and privileges as others.

Zivotofsky reminds us that Hamas took control of Gaza after the Israel disengagement of 2005, and, since that time, the oppressive control of Hamas has caused the suffering of Gazans. But wasn’t it the people who democratically voted them into power believing that they would do well by them?

And during those years, up until the present time, isn’t it true that very young boys were sent off to Hamas military camps to learn warfare and train to be a shahid (martyr)? In other words, these are the values which were embraced by Gaza’s parents, who believed that being denied a future was the highest calling, to which their children could aspire. 

But granting Gazans freedom of movement is not the ultimate solution to the problem, because if no one wants to take them in, what good does that privilege do for them?

It’s worth exploring how they ended up that way – people who no one wants.  In his article titled, “Just who are the ‘civilians’ of Gaza?” writer Yisrael Medad speaks about the estimated 2,500 Gaza civilians who accompanied Hamas Nukhba elite units, together breaking through the border fence, ransacking and decimating communities as they looted and took selfies, joyfully celebrating the day’s victory by standing on burning tanks. These were the same people who happily greeted the returning terrorists with live or dead hostages on their trucks, cars and motorcycles, cheering as some stomped on dead Israelis and spit at or hit live hostages. 

Does any of that speak to a level of humanity, compassion, integrity or normalcy? What country on the face of the earth would stand to gain from opening their doors to such a population? And who would feel safe, living beside them, when they so easily can turn against their fellow man?

Of course, the hatred, with which they have been indoctrinated, all of their lives, is what has turned them into the unfeeling, uncaring and heartless monsters, who are willing to sacrifice their own children without shedding a tear. And, although we are specifically speaking about Gazans, many of the Muslim migrants, who have made their way to Europe, the U.S., Australia, U.K. and other civilized countries, are, sadly, not much different.

It is the reason that they are able to attack local Jews or Israeli tourists without so much as the slightest hesitation, fearful that they might be deported to their countries of origin. Feeling emboldened enough to resort to violence, they bear a great deal of resemblance to the same terrorists who spent years, patiently planning a well-coordinated attack which they foolishly believed would make their fondest wish come true – a Middle East without a Jewish presence.

But, thankfully, with God’s help, Israel has defended herself, and most of the leaders of these terror organizations have gone on to meet their Maker, a shuddering thought!

As recent as a few months ago, when asked by whom they would like to be governed, many Gazans still replied, “Hamas.” Is it, then, any wonder that although nations, human rights organizations and world leaders come to the defense of the Gazan people, none of them are moving heaven and earth to demand their right to migrate to safer shores, nor are they willing to sponsor them. 

While no one can blame them for that, we can certainly cast a giant spotlight on their hypocrisy for coming to the defense of a people with barbaric and savage tendencies, who have yet to learn what it means to live peaceably, think and act with compassion, kindness, regard for other and show the tolerance needed to preserve a successful but diverse society.

Of course, their being able to leave Gaza would greatly benefit Israel, because if we no longer had to worry about the underground tunnels, leading to our southern communities or stockpiles of weapons being smuggled into Gaza through Egypt, it would make life a whole lot easier for those who live just a few kilometers from these hostile and inhumane neighbors.

In fact, we would probably be the first to advocate for their transfer and free movement, but some country has to be willing to take the risk of putting them together with their own local population. Since that doesn’t seem to be a possibility, at the present time, Gazans might be doomed to the life of misery which they, themselves, have facilitated, by refusing to rise above those who have exploited them as well as their own personal choices to ruminate in the hatred which has precluded them from living a good and satisfying life.

It is, indeed, sad to think that they have cooperated with those who care nothing about them, but, at some point, if they are ever to abandon this cycle of death and destruction which they have chosen, they will have to come to the realization that repeating the same actions and prolonging the same behavior only leads to a dead-end road for them.

Maybe then, they will be able to reject the evil ideology which has only served to keep them the oppressed and hated people whom no one wants to welcome into their own countries. Gazans need to take a long look at the last 75 + year history to get a proper perspective of how they have been held back by others and themselves so that they can figure out how to go forward as a people who are admired and respected.

If not, they will have to fully absorb the blame for the misery which they have foolishly chosen.