Violence, Backlash, and the Gaza War

Whether this was orchestrated to benefit Israel or merely exploited to do so is a distinction

without a difference. Let’s assume these attackers were organic, homegrown terrorists. Let’s assume it

was “real.” Then the question is simple: why Hanukkah? Because Muslims worldwide are watching

Israel ethnically cleanse Gaza. They are watching Israel bomb Lebanon, Iraq,

Iran, and Yemen with near-total impunity. I am not saying two wrongs make

a right. I am not saying the answer to killing is more killing. The murder of innocents—any

innocents—is equally reprehensible. It is evil. But let’s stop pretending we don’t understand

what is happening. People in Gaza are powerless. They have no advocate, no agent,