This episode of Conversations with Coleman takes on one of the most emotionally fraught topics of the moment: the Israel-Hamas war. Because we think it’s so important we wanted to bring it to you two ways. You can watch Coleman on video by clicking below or keep scrolling to read as essay adaptation. —The Editors
Over the past few weeks, images of emaciated Gazan children have circulated the media. Global outrage has exploded over emerging evidence of widespread hunger that the pictures purportedly capture. The anger has led major U.S. allies, including France, Britain, and Canada, to say they will recognize a Palestinian state.
Amid these developments, it may seem cartoonish, even obscene, to say that in the war between Israel and Hamas, Israel is the good guy. But it’s the truth. And it’s a truth that’s incredibly easy to forget amid the day-to-day coverage of this terrible war.
If you need a reminder, consider what Hamas did on Saturday when the terrorist group released a video of Israeli hostage Evyatar David. Evyatar, who is 24 years old, has been held captive by Hamas for 667 days. He is shirtless, gaunt, and clearly starving. Or as his family put it: “a living skeleton, buried alive.” He tells the camera he hasn’t eaten in days.
In one section of the video, he is forced to dig a hole in the tunnel where he is being held. He says it will be his grave.
