It’s been over six months since Hamas made a cowardly attack on civilians because they wanted to start a war. Hamas set the predictable trap – creating an impossible situation through hostages and the embedment of Hamas militants in Gazan populations.

The Israeli army is not perfect and has taken responsibility for their grave mistakes. But, they have been honest. 

While the images of death and suffering in Gaza are unbearable and display the sin of war, the heaviness of these images will not sway my alignment with the Jewish people.

I stand with the Jews thoughtfully, not mindlessly. The Jews are a gift to the world, yet the anti-semitic spirit lives on in each generation.

Israel was provoked to respond. Though the gravity of the response may be debatable, the justification of a response is not. Israel must eradicate Hamas. I pray that as many innocent lives as possible will be spared as the evil of Hamas is dealt an irrecoverable defeat.