Following an attack on Israel by the Islamic resistance movement Hamas, warfare has developed throughout the Gaza strip, striking fear and uncertainty into many.
“There’s a clear violation of humanitarian law in all of this,” said Hasan Yonten, a political science professor at Neumann University who has observed the tensions between Israel and Palestine.
“What Hamas did on October 7, is just barbaric. It can’t be justified under any circumstances,” added Yonten, “but I’m sad to see that how Israel has retaliated in Gaza has strong indications of also being a violation of humanitarian law.”
“I am on the side of humanitarian law. I am on the side of peace,” Yonten reiterated. “Defending the rights of innocent people is so important, because they are the victims in all of this.”
The current war stems from a long history between Israel and Palestine, dating back to 1948 when Israel was established as a homeland for Jewish people.
Palestine had been ruled by Britain, and under a British mandate was ordered to separate into two territories for the foundation of Israel to be born.
While Israel’s foundation was widely accepted by Jewish people, Arabs rejected this idea and wars ensued for decades over this territory, leading us to the current Israel-Hamas war.
The United States, among other nations, view a two-state solution as a viable resolution to the conflict. This would see an independent Palestine, and an independent Israel living side by side.
Yonten noted that “the two-state solution is starting to possibly look like the only option, but there are obstacles.” Palestine and Israel have division within themselves, with multiple different groups vying for different outcomes they wish to see from this fight.
“No solution is not an alternative,” Yoten stated. The continuous cycle of warfare continues otherwise.
Neumann University president Chris Domes invited the campus to gather for prayers at the Peace Pole following daily Mass on Friday, October 27, in hopes of the university connecting with others and pursuing peace in this time of tensity and devastation.
In an email to the university community he wrote, “We are all deeply dismayed and saddened by the horrific attacks perpetrated in Israel and the continuing cries of desperation coming from the Palestinians in Gaza.”
When asked how Neumann students should view the Israel-Hamas war, Yonten answered, “I would like all Neumann students to keep in their minds that we human beings (and all other beings in this universe) are one family and would love them to support and promote peace and human rights all the time and all around the globe.”