The Israel-Hamas War: 5 Ridiculous Myths that Need Killing

Different than most articles about the Israel-Hamas war, this one draws on actual lived experience. On both sides!

Israel’s Iron Dome air defense system intercepts rockets launched from Gaza on October 11, 2023. (Mahmud HAMS/AFP)

My (Relevant) Background

Born in Israel, I spent 27 of my first 30 years there and served in the Israel Defense Force (IDF, Tsahal in Hebrew), in the early 1980s, including (thankfully brief) stints in Gaza and the West Bank.

In terms of Israeli politics, I’m left-of-center (though today I’d probably be considered far left since Israeli society, driven by decades of Palestinian terror attacks, has become far more hawkish).

Having lived over 30 years in the US, I’m not as personally affected by events on the ground, allowing me a somewhat less directly emotional viewpoint.

Still, being an Israeli-born Jewish person with family in Israel, I’ll freely admit that I’m biased to a certain extent.

The Guardian Asked: How Have You Been Affected by the Israel-Hamas War?