The United States of America is full of many calling for a ceasefire for the Israeli-Hamas war (the war is against Hamas, not Palestine, meaning not against the whole population).  But, unless a rainbow appears in the Middle East accompanied by a sky full of butterflies, I believe that we must deal with the reality.  A war was started by Hamas with the horrific attack of October 7^th that killed about 1,400 Israelis, including U.S. citizens.  Based on that, for those that vocally express their hope for a ceasefire and want no involvement by the United States, they should remember that Hamas has already embroiled us in the conflict.  (As it relates to this blog, there is no confirmed number of how many people in the initial, or follow-up, attacks suffered brain injuries, or any other sort of injury.)    

The Times of Israel headlines Something changes in our brain as we react to the traumas on and since Oct. 7.  In that article, neuroscientists discuss how an act can have both emotional affects and how it can lead to personally detrimental behavior.  (Of course, those who live in Hamas-lead territory also are afflicted, but for the purpose of this post, the focus is America’s Middle East ally, Israel.)  Stateside, Hamas propaganda has seeped into the mainstream.  Many continue to believe that Israel attacked a Palestinian hospital.  Reports by CNN, though, highlight, “U.S., Experts Say Evidence Suggests Palestinian Militants’ Rocket Hit Gaza Hospital”.  Unfortunately, the pro-Hamas stories preceding this report that place the blame solely on Israel still circulate online and are believed, by some.

As is evidenced by the many protests you see on college campuses and other locations, Americans have joined the war, at least in mind. Pro-Palestinian and pro-Israeli protests are frequent and often result in violence from those with opposing views. Most, if not all, of the reports I have seen discuss violence against Jewish-Americans. Antisemitism, which I thought and prayed had been eradicated from America many years ago, seems to be alive. One of the best, or rather, the worst example of the effects of this mindset occurred this past weekend. NBC news, and others, reported, “A 69-year-old Jewish man died after suffering a head injury Sunday following an ‘interaction’ with a pro-Palestinian demonstrator during dueling rallies in Southern California.” The police are currently investigating this as a “hate crime”, which is very appropriate.