The Star’s editorial about attack on Israel missed the bigger picture about Hamas | Opinion
Hamas’ chaos
On a personal, local, human level, The Star’s editorial board pledging to listen to all sides is laudable. (Oct. 13, 6A, “We denounce violent attack on Israel but must find way to coexist”) Jews, Muslims, Christians and people of all other faiths coexist in a peaceful democracy in this country, based upon human rights. It’s the beautiful thing about living in America.
However, such is not the case in all parts of the world. There is a bigger picture to see with the Hamas terrorist attacks. Hamas does not support human rights. Hamas is not a political party but a state-sponsored proxy army funded by Iran and others.
Hamas had the opportunity to create a working government that might be able to broker a two-party solution, but it instead tightened a totalitarian vice around average Palestinians and delivered very little to their lives other than fear. Yes, the average Palestinian is afraid of Hamas, too.
Hamas exists, like many terrorist groups, to collect money from countries that fear political blowback from committing terrorist attacks themselves. In this case, it’s the Iranian theocracy.
It’s hard not to draw a correlation with Iran, Vladimir Putin’s Russia and Hamas. Putin wants to shatter Western resolve to aid Ukraine. Iran wants to sell Russia weapons. Hamas will attack Israel for money and create a new PR battle front.
Hamas terrorists have no chance of defeating Israel, so why did they do it? Victory was not the goal. Chaos was their target. Disrupting the peace process brings in funding. Money and perpetual thuggery is their only agenda.
Peace is the answer. Hamas is not.
- Andrew Pritzker, Kansas City
Demand peace
Thank you for your editorial urging discussion about the Israel-Hamas conflict. My mother’s family was non-religious Jews, so by heredity, I am also. As Americans, we express ourselves freely. I believe the best way to express our desire for peace is at the ballot box. Demand and vote for leaders who value a peaceful coexistence.
I am anti-Hamas, pro-Palestinian, anti-Israeli terrorist policies and pro-Israeli citizens who do not support Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and others like him. I am not an antisemite.
- Gina Meyer, Lee’s Summit
Speak strongly
I am dismayed by the number of people, especially religious leaders, hedging regarding the terrorist attack on Israel last weekend.
Right now, Israel deserves unilateral, unequivocal support in its fight against an enemy that cannot and will not be pacified.
I am a Christian. I think of how the Catholic Church dealt with Nazi Germany. Our grandchildren will likely be just as horrified and outraged by today’s religious leaders talking about “nuances people need to understand” as we are about the Catholic Church’s refusal to unequivocally condemn the Nazis during World War II.
- Kathryn Lawler, Overland Park
Morally wrong
The Star’s editorial board seems to be counting Jews and Palestinians in its readership before forming an opinion on the recent Hamas attack on Israel. But all Star readers are human beings, with, one hopes, some sort of moral compass.
Hamas’ attack on Israel was evil, and no United Nations report such as the one cited by the board can possibly justify the beheading, rape and murder of civilians, including, at last count, 25 Americans.
The editorial board members have committed a grave moral error, and one hopes the outrage headed their way will give them the opportunity to rethink their position.
- Blake Hurst, Westboro, Missouri
Weak word
Using the word “incursion” in an Oct. 10 front-page headline referring to what Hamas did to Israel is offensive. (“Israel vows complete siege on Gaza after incursion by Hamas”)
That term is too gentle. The terrorists invaded with force, slaughtering innocent civilians.
- Mary E. Weiler, Kansas City
Royal thoughts
Thanks to Clay Wirestone, opinion editor of the nonprofit Kansas Reflector, for his Oct. 11 commentary, “Hope amid the chaos in a 1989 pop song’s lyrics,” about Queen’s “The Miracle.” (10A)
- Lanna Bernard, Raymore
Help Kansas vote
As we approach election season, I encourage Kansans to take advantage of the opportunity to serve as poll workers at your county election offices. Poll working is an excellent way for civic engagement and to learn more about our electoral process.
Any Kansan who is 18 years old, a U.S. citizen, registered to vote and willing to complete training provided by the local election official can serve as a poll worker. Additionally, Kansans as young as 16 can serve as poll workers through our Student Serves initiative. The secretary of state has partnered with education organizations to encourage high school student participation. There are several benefits: Students receive minor compensation for their time and earn community service hours or credit for school, and participation makes students stand out on college and scholarship applications.
I hope parents and teachers will urge their students to volunteer. Poll workers play a vital role and can work within their community and learn about the inner workings of Kansas elections. I urge all eligible Kansans to consider becoming poll workers.
For additional information, please visit VoteKansas.gov
- Kansas Secretary of State Scott Schwab, Topeka
This story was originally published October 15, 2023 at 5:02 AM.