Hi Brian,

I would say I have quite a bit of historical background; I spent several months living in Israel doing an "experiential education" while learning about [a decidedly VERY traditionally Zionistic perspective of] Israel and Jewish history dating back to antiquity--aside from all that I learned from an entire childhood attending Jewish camp (rife with mandatory Israeli Education), weekly religious school and and Jewish/Israeli cultural education through various extracurricular/community programming and groups throughout my teens. I'm generally aware of those events and the sentiments. Hamas' charter is clear still that it calls for the annihilation of Jews. I find it a difficult paradox to contend with where Jews in Israel are expected to deal with peaceably and justly (by Western standards) deal with a dire situation where their opponents explicitly want them dead by whatever means, but they are also entitled to a homeland and basic human dignity. I think it's no less complex today than it was a hundred years ago; it's only been further obfuscated by the extremely polarizing and sensational nature of social media and modern politics. Israeli's -- their government in particular -- are imperfect and culpable for their unjust actions just as any other people (and certainly just as any other people who have undergone severe trauma and continue to face pressing existential threats on a daily basis), but my sincere hope remains that some kind of peaceful resolution can be found.

Thanks for reading and responding.