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Everyone possess the right to defend themselves from aggressors, oppressors and occupiers. The disproportionate Israeli response to Hamas rockets is astounding, as Israel continues to assert that it is an appropriate response to Palestinians aggression. Really, the strategic value of Hamas firing rockets across the border may not be great. In fact it could very well be argued that it is more harmful than it is useful. Aside from guns, these rockets are the greatest arsenal Palestine has to defend itself against a country with a well funded army and nuclear capabilities.

Ever since the operation begun, Israeli officials have stressed that despite the bombs being dropped from Israeli aircrafts and killing scores of innocent men, women and children, it’s really Hamas that is to blame for all the death and destruction. Nobody is going to deny that Hamas is launching rockets into Israel. But it is not Hamas that is dropping one ton bombs made by the United States into densely populated areas. Nor is Hamas purposely creating a shortage of vital medicine and medical equipment needed to treat the injured and wounded. For The United States and Israel to blame Hamas for the plight of the people in Gaza does not only insult the intelligence of the Palestinians, it undermines the so called War on Terror.

One of many goals of the War on Terror was to implement democracy in various regions of the world that were considered contain rogue elements. In 2006, Palestinians chose the road of democracy and elected Hamas. But despite adhering to the principles of democracy, the democratically elected Hamas was denied recognition by the international community. An IDF soldier who was interviewed by a BBC reporter said that the people of Palestine chose Hamas to represent them so they are responsible for the consequences. The loss of lives is the punishment for marking an x on a ballot. This goes against the very principles that the United States and its allies have been trying to export across the world. Whereas the United States, Canada and other countries condemn the very nature of political systems inherent within the Middle East, a stateless people chose democracy as a means of gaining political legitimacy in the international world and were delegitimized because of their decision.

Israel has tried desperately to tell the world that no other nation on earth would tolerate rockets landing into their territory and thus are justified in perusing the current war. But one has to ask as well, who would accept the fate the Palestinians have had to endure for so many decades. They have been denied everything that a human being is entitled to and deserve at least the basics of human dignity.