"but no, they were blocking highways practically the very next day."
... my take on that situation is:
YES, it is not only disconcerting, and distressing, and disappointing, but ... it is ALSO * * * surprising * * * that, even after the NY Times has reported honestly on certain atrocities committed by Hamas or by similar 'enemies of the truth' ...
...that there are still those -- (we might as well call them [as you did] "all the women shouting Hamas terrorist slogans" ... a good choice of words) -- who somehow manage to ignore (or not to believe) the reports of those atrocities, and who somehow manage to see Hamas as -- still! -- "the good guys", no matter what.
Why was the NYT a good choice of a voice to expose the truth about those atrocities? It probably seemed -- (at least, before!) -- to most intelligent observers, that the fact that the NYT seems to strive mightily to be "correct" in some way, on some level ...
(some would say that the NYT is kinda "politically" correct ... right?)
(perhaps in a sort of "virtue signaling" sort of way?) ...
it seemed (to some) that such [progressive] "credentials" would somehow endow their [NYT] words with some kind of magic power, to be able to "get through" to the minds and hearts of those readers who might not trust some other source of information.
The idea being that certain readers who think a certain way, might *trust* the NYT more than they would, some (um...) "other" purveyor of news and opinions; and that (hence) certain "progressive" readers would rest assured that what the NY Times says (or "prints") is in some sense "OK" for them to trust.
But no!
Don't hold your breath!
Apparently, even after the NYT came out with the information that some others had known about for some time (and that many skeptical observers had kinda "suspected", all along) ... it was STILL not good enough for some ... what does one call them? activists? or "consumers of opinion"?
As you said,
"but no, they were blocking highways practically the very next day."
It is perplexing ... and I do not know the answer. As I said -- (above) -- it is [ALSO] * * * surprising * * * .
Thank you for your bravery in speaking out, and your wonderful father - holding to his principles and the true spirit of Islam even in the face of death. If he has passed then he is a true martyr for his Faith, not the one who with hate in his heart and blood on his hands desecrates the name of God.
What a wonderful tribute to your father. I hope he returns home safe to you. I wish we had more reports from other Gaza residents about what it is like to live under Hamas. It reminds me of stories of the old Soviet Union...
This is such an important voice, thank you. As an Israeli I feel we are desperately looking for Palestinians who actually want a better life for Palestinians and not just to annihilate us
I believe most people in the US and western Europe support Hamas because it helps in their primary goal for political and economic change in the free democracies. These western supporters really are fighting against liberal democracy in favor of a socialist/communist agenda. They see Hamas as a force against liberal free societies so the enemy (Hamas) of my enemy(western democracy) is my friend.
IDF https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hSMLSeuCsCY&t=103s
Why do we do it? Because we are men, and we have to do it! What else can we have to offer but our lives?
And that is all...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ql_xaBXs6Gc
In reply to "B." [Jan 6] ... as in,
https://www.thefp.com/p/imam-father-gaza-kidnapped-by-hamas/comment/46727984
In reply to your comment ending with
"but no, they were blocking highways practically the very next day."
... my take on that situation is:
YES, it is not only disconcerting, and distressing, and disappointing, but ... it is ALSO * * * surprising * * * that, even after the NY Times has reported honestly on certain atrocities committed by Hamas or by similar 'enemies of the truth' ...
...that there are still those -- (we might as well call them [as you did] "all the women shouting Hamas terrorist slogans" ... a good choice of words) -- who somehow manage to ignore (or not to believe) the reports of those atrocities, and who somehow manage to see Hamas as -- still! -- "the good guys", no matter what.
Why was the NYT a good choice of a voice to expose the truth about those atrocities? It probably seemed -- (at least, before!) -- to most intelligent observers, that the fact that the NYT seems to strive mightily to be "correct" in some way, on some level ...
(some would say that the NYT is kinda "politically" correct ... right?)
(perhaps in a sort of "virtue signaling" sort of way?) ...
it seemed (to some) that such [progressive] "credentials" would somehow endow their [NYT] words with some kind of magic power, to be able to "get through" to the minds and hearts of those readers who might not trust some other source of information.
The idea being that certain readers who think a certain way, might *trust* the NYT more than they would, some (um...) "other" purveyor of news and opinions; and that (hence) certain "progressive" readers would rest assured that what the NY Times says (or "prints") is in some sense "OK" for them to trust.
But no!
Don't hold your breath!
Apparently, even after the NYT came out with the information that some others had known about for some time (and that many skeptical observers had kinda "suspected", all along) ... it was STILL not good enough for some ... what does one call them? activists? or "consumers of opinion"?
As you said,
"but no, they were blocking highways practically the very next day."
It is perplexing ... and I do not know the answer. As I said -- (above) -- it is [ALSO] * * * surprising * * * .
Thank you for your candor, clarity, and telling your family's story.
Thank you for your bravery in speaking out, and your wonderful father - holding to his principles and the true spirit of Islam even in the face of death. If he has passed then he is a true martyr for his Faith, not the one who with hate in his heart and blood on his hands desecrates the name of God.
Praying for the safe return of your father. It’s clear there are many who see what is really happening. Too bad the media is fooled by Hamas
I'm so sorry, Mr. Mushtaha. I hope your whole family will somehow escape the tyranny of Hamas. You represent a ray of hope for the people of Gaza.
This article deserves to be very widely read.
Thank you for publishing it.
What a wonderful tribute to your father. I hope he returns home safe to you. I wish we had more reports from other Gaza residents about what it is like to live under Hamas. It reminds me of stories of the old Soviet Union...
Hope your family comes through this okay. Gaza needs people like you and your family and your father.
God bless you and your father. His courage is inspiring and will not go unnoticed. I will pray for his safe return.
This is such an important voice, thank you. As an Israeli I feel we are desperately looking for Palestinians who actually want a better life for Palestinians and not just to annihilate us
Ala - thank you for sharing this. My prayers are with you and your father for your eventual and joyful reunion.
I believe most people in the US and western Europe support Hamas because it helps in their primary goal for political and economic change in the free democracies. These western supporters really are fighting against liberal democracy in favor of a socialist/communist agenda. They see Hamas as a force against liberal free societies so the enemy (Hamas) of my enemy(western democracy) is my friend.
I can't image how hard this is for you and your family. Inshallah your father will be home soon. Sending best wishes.
I am praying for your father and your family.