The Gaza Strip is 362 km² and is home to 1,500,000 people. That is 4,143 people per square kilometer.
Richmond, VA is 162.0 km² with 197,790 people. That is 1,220 people per km².
The Palestinians in Gaza are packed almost 4 times as densely as people in the City of Richmond. The difference is that the people of Gaza cannot enter or leave. Israel controls all of Gaza’s airspace, all of its coastline and sea routes, and all of its land entrances. It is the world’s largest open-air prison. It houses men, women, children, and the elderly.
So how did these people get there? During World War I the British were in charge of the part of the conquered Ottoman Empire that included Palestine, which included Gaza. British Foreign Secretary Arthur James Balfour issued the “Balfour Declaration of 1917”, which is a short note stating, “"His Majesty’s Government views with favour the establishment in Palestine of a national home for the Jewish people.”
For centuries there was a country called Palestine and in one letter the British declared it the “national home of the Jewish people”.
After the Arab-Israeli War of 1948 over 700,000 Palestinians fled to Golan, the West Bank, and Gaza. These people are still living in squalid refugee camps 60 years later, unable to return home.
Once again things have boiled over and Hamas is lashing out at Israel with the most powerful weapons they have, Qassam rockets. These rockets are fueled by sugar and potassium nitrate and have no guidance system.
50.3% of the population of Gaza is under the age of 14. They are packed together with little opportunity and less hope. They harbor the collective rage of generations treated unjustly. Now they are once again being humiliated by a superior military, and their homes are once again being destroyed as they are besieged by an occupying army. These kids are living in an environment that virtually guarantees they will develop a deep seeded hatred for Israel.
Seems like both sides are doing exactly what will make the situation worse!
But here is where you and I play a part. We live in a representative republic. That means we elect people who make decisions for us. We are providing weapons and tacit approval to continue the oppression of the Palestinian people. For the most part it seems Americans are not aware of the history of the situation or the misery that has been inflicted with our support. It is important that the American people learn about what is happening to the Palestinian people.
Why? Because we are a REPRESENTATIVE REPUBLIC and thus responsible and accountable for the decisions of our leaders. Right or wrong, radical groups like Hamas and Al Qaeda can draw a line from the suffering in Gaza to the American voter.
If you follow this to its logical conclusion, it is only a matter of time before they strike here. Have you ever wondered why they haven’t yet? Can you imagine the damage that could be done by 10 groups of trained snipers similar to the ones who terrorized the DC area a few years ago? How about 10 teams starting wild fires near populated areas? Suicide bombers in crowded restaurants?
These things are terrible to consider and I pray they never happen. However right now Israeli troops are invading Gaza in Merkava tanks and F-16 fighter planes paid for with $10 billion per year of your tax dollars. (each American sends about $33 annually)
As financier of the current invasion of Gaza, you are making yourself a legitimate target. When it happens (God forbid), we will be dismayed, but we should not be surprised.