As an Army veteran, I am deeply troubled by the ongoing assault on the Palestinian people in Gaza and the expansion of violence into Lebanon. Israel’s relentless military campaign has led to the loss of more than 42,000 Palestinian lives. These deaths are not mere statistics—they are human beings, families torn apart, dreams shattered, futures obliterated.
On Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas committed acts of terror against the people of Israel, and there is no doubt that Israel has the right to seek justice for these horrific attacks. The details of the assault are truly grotesque, and it is essential that those responsible are held accountable.
However, we must recognize that responding with unchecked aggression in the name of justice cannot be tolerated. This behavior, exemplified by the actions of the Netanyahu government, raises serious concerns about the implications of such responses.
Furthermore, as a nation that provides military support to Israel—including 120-millimeter tank shells and 500-pound joint direct attack munitions with a 65-foot blast radius—the United States should seriously reevaluate how the Israeli government is pursuing “justice” and the collateral damage that results from these actions. We must advocate for a more measured approach that genuinely seeks peace and accountability without perpetuating a cycle of violence.
I urge President Biden to do more than call for an immediate halt to the hostilities. His calls have not been heard by Netanyahu. He must use all the powers bestowed to him as commander in chief to negotiate a permanent ceasefire. It is imperative that the U.S. reassess its role in this war on Gaza by the Israeli government and put conditions for any further aid on the cessation of attacks and a commitment to peace.
In God’s name, end it now.
Richard Bailey
Santa Maria
This article appears in Nov 7-17, 2024.