Hamas and Terrorism

Unfortunately people confuse a cause with the actions taken in support of a cause. Regardless of what one thinks about the cause of the Palestinian people, the recent acts of Hamas were heinous acts of terrorism.

A Google search returns the following definitions of 'terrorism'.

"the unlawful use of violence and intimidation, especially against civilians, in the pursuit of political aims."

"an action or threat designed to influence the government or intimidate the public. Its purpose is to advance a political, religious or ideological cause."

"the calculated use of violence to create a general climate of fear in a population and thereby to bring about a particular political objective."

Many more definitions are to the same effect.

The documented recent actions of Hamas in Israel include the capture, rape, torture and murder of civilians. Many of the victims were women and children. The murders of children in front of their parents have been reported. This conduct could have no other purpose than to create a climate of fear in the Israeli population. It was an intimidation tactic.

This unlawful conduct was purportedly in the pursuit of a political, religious or ideological cause.

No rational person can dispute that the acts of Hamas were acts of terrorism.

Weak minded people confuse these acts with the merits of the cause of the Palestinian people. No cause justifies these acts of wanton human cruelty.

The cause of the Palestinian people is a complex issue which will not be dealt with in this post.