My thoughts on the terrorist attack in Israel

We are one day into a new war between Hamas and Israel.  The US has described the onset of this war as a surprise terrorist attack launched from Gaza, and unequivocally condemned it.

Hamas says they have launched an all-out attack citing settler violence in the occupied west bank and disturbances at the al Aksa Mosque in Jerusalem. They have called on the Palestinians in the West Bank, the Arabs in Israel, and Islamic militias and nations around the country to join their fight.

Journalists who cover this part of the world describe today’s events as an unprecedented, sophisticated, and highly coordinated attack. Most also describe it as a stunning failure of Israeli intelligence and preparation.

It is far too early to fully understand the dynamics at play, let alone the outcome. We do know that hundreds are already dead. Israel is not existentially threatened by what is, for now, a collection of battles along the Gaza border. But the threat of further expansion of this war is real. Already, President Biden has issued a stern warning to others not to join the fight.

Fire and smoke rises following an Israeli airstrike, in Gaza City, Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023. T (AP Photo/Fatima Shbair)

I know that part of the world very well. It is socially, culturally, and politically complicated in ways Americans find very difficult to understand. Much of the training, the weapons, the funding, the logistical support, for Hamas comes from Iran. That, alone, may deter others from joining the fight, as the Sunni- Shia division in the Middle East colors every strategic decision. But the situation is highly volatile, and nothing is certain.

Let me be clear about my own position. I condemn this attack and grieve for the dead on both sides. At the same time, history and context matter. This war differs from the attack by Russia on Ukraine, although both are inexcusable and both are humanitarian disasters. The United States has long supported the existence of two states, an Israeli and a Palestinian state living side by side. So long as politicians – Palestinian and Israeli- find it easier to argue about the status quo than to change it, the region remains dangerous and will have the potential to plunge far larger populations into war.

Israelis I’ve talked to today are determined and angry. Determined to protect their nation. Angry with their own government. As one said, “see what happens when governments get distracted and are only dealing with themselves?”

I hope for a speedy end to the violence and a return to meaningful conversastions about that will lead to real peace between the Israeli and Palestinian neighbors.

We might be better able to help make that happen if we were not ourselves consantly distracted by a dysfunctional GOP that, in addition to clogging the public debate with conspiratorial nonsense, is blocking the appointment of an US Ambassadors in the region, of a general to lead our Naval Operations despite the importance of the region’s waterways, or of personnel who would fill many other roles essential to peace and stability.