Hamas makes it hard to support the Palestinians right now. On Oct. 7, 2023, the group attacked Israel, killing about 1,200 people and kidnapping another 250. Many of those hostages died in captivity; many more are still in captivity. The people who were attacked, killed and taken hostage were not soldiers. They were just ordinary people, sitting at home, going to a festival, minding their own business. It is impossible to justify that attack.

That places people who want to think about the conflict in Israel and Palestine in a difficult position. It is hard to support the rights of the Palestinians without seeming to support Hamas and justifying the events of Oct. 7.

Yet somebody has to do it.

I was raised on the Old Testament story of the Jews escaping slavery in Egypt to a promised lan

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