US support for Israel must require Palestinian statehood

Since the beginning of the horrific attack on Israel by Hamas on Oct. 7, 2023, among much of the mainstream and right-wing media, there has been a steady drumbeat of information conflating antisemitism and disagreement with the policy of the Israeli government and particularly the leadership of Benjamin Netanyahu.

It is not antisemitic to be critical of Israel’s wartime atrocities against the Palestinians. We must remember that Palestinian territories do not have democracy in any way similar to ours. Hamas came into power in Gaza in 2006 after defeating the ruling Fatah party in armed conflict. Most of the 33,000 Palestinian men, women, and children who have lost their lives so far did not elect Hamas to govern them.

On the other hand, Israel is a democratic country and did elect Netanyahu, who is carrying out this mass killing of thousands of innocent civilians in his quest to eliminate Hamas leaders.

His government’s decision to kill innocent civilians en masse to that end is creating worldwide condemnation.

Over several decades, and even during this time of conflict, Israeli settlers have taken over Palestinian land. This kind of behavior only fuels resentment among the Palestinian population.

While I in no way support the actions of Hamas, the anger and lack of justice experienced by the Palestinians over many years has fueled support for Hamas.

U.S. support for Israel should be contingent on helping to create a Palestinian state and stopping the killing of innocent civilians.

Selma Dannenfelser Brigham

Cedar Rapids