Hugh Hollowell

I just came across a bleakaccount of Gaza from the perspective of an Irish activist who is in Gaza, on the ground.

It is trite to say there are no easy answers. It is easy to say there has always been conflict. It is simple to get on the side of Israel-after all, they are a “democracy”, our allies and there is that whole “God’s Chosen People” thing that factors into so much of our foreign policy.

The truth is, this is pain, this is hurt and death, this is war. It is not good, or right, or fair. If you are a person of faith and feel your God is taking the side of Israel (or, in fact, anybody’s side) in this conflict, I never want to meet your God. Sorry.

By the way, something that really opened my eyes to understanding this situation a bit better was the documentary Jimmy Carter, Man from Plains. it was a chronicle of the former president’s recent tour for his book “Palestine: Peace Not Apartheid.” (Also very helpful, I read it after seeing the film).