Opinion: Supporting Israel also means criticizing its Gaza policies

I’ve been called antisemitic for questioning Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu’s approach to ensuring that Hamas can no longer launch brutal attacks upon Israel. But I too want Israel to be a secure nation, safe from the antisemitic rampages that forced them to want their own homeland in the first place. And I would think those who feel the same would want as much analysis of the prime minister’s policy as they could find. For the current approach may backfire horribly.

The first horror that could occur is a great expansion of the ranks of Hamas. Though Israel’s main goal is the destruction of Hamas, its bombing and invasion campaign may have generated so many collateral casualties it could be creating more enemies than it kills. The families of those who’ve been killed may start to hate Israel so much they are willing to join Hamas.

According to CNN.com, the Hamas controlled Health Ministry says more than 10,000 Palestinians have died from Israeli bombardments. Anything Hamas claims is highly suspect but we don’t know how many of those killed so far are Hamas, and how many are innocent Palestinians. But if about 10 new Hamas members are created for every innocent Palestinian killed, that could be up to 50,000 new Hamas members created already.

Meanwhile UN officials estimate about 1,270 Gazan children have been reported missing and may be trapped under rubble. If they die horrible deaths, that’s an additional 12,000 new Hamas members that could be generated, dedicated to the destruction of Israel. Not to mention all those so frightened by Israel’s bombing and invasion that they are driven into Hamas’ clutches.

Another possible disaster from the current policy stems from the fact that Israel has made great progress in achieving recognition by Middle Eastern countries in recent decades as well the new Abraham Accords in which the UAE, Morrocco, Sudan and Bahrain recognized Israel’s right to exist. And Israel is having encouraging negotiations with Saudi Arabia. The Middle East may be close to accepting Israel as a legitimate neighbor.

Yet these countries could become so outraged at what they perceive as the excessive killing of their Muslim brothers and sisters that they break those treaties. This may have already begun as U.S. News and World Report stated Bahrain has recalled its ambassador from Israel and may have severed economic ties. Others may follow. Israel’s peaceful prospects in the Middle East may be being destroyed.

As more Gazans die, the breaking of these hard-won treaties may be the first step in an escalating Muslim outrage and lead to the declaration of another Jihad by Islam towards Israel. Then perhaps a large Middle East War will occur.

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The U.S. has vowed to prevent this from happening and has sent the Gerald R. Ford and the Eisenhower aircraft carriers and supporting fleets to prevent Iran and other countries from taking advantage of Israel’s vulnerability. But, as we know from our own 9/11 horror, many Muslims believe the U.S. is responsible for much of Middle Eastern suffering and humiliation. The U.S. could be attacked despite our show of might. Then will Russia jump in to protect their Middle Eastern allies if we respond in kind? And then will Israel use what The Bulletin of Atomic Scientists believes is its 400 nuclear weapons if their existence is extremely threatened? And will we be arriving at the Armageddon that evangelical and fundamentalist Christians in America want so fervently?

Of course, none of this may happen. The current Netanyahu policy may attain its goals of killing most of Hamas without generating more Hamas fanatics. U.S. aircraft carrier squadrons could deter any wider Middle East War, as well as any world war. But if the above worst-case scenario is currently happening, maybe Israel could do as the U.S. could have done in Afghanistan and Iraq, pursuing known terrorists rather than invading and radicalizing entire countries. And they could announce an immediate cease-fire and recognize a separate Palestinian state with full civil rights and territorial integrity.

This may not be the best course. But for those of us who want Israel to continue to exist in safety and security, as well as Palestinians to have full civil rights, shouldn’t the current Israeli policy be thoroughly and continuously debated without accusations of antisemitism?

Bill Branyon is a journalist with a master’s degree in history from Western Carolina University, and has written four books including "Billy Graham’s Glorious Jam, a history of 20^th century American religion."

This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Opinion: Israel’s attacks on Hamas may create more enemies