The Hamas massacre reveals my hypocrisy.

If this sort of thing had happened against my country, I would in no way be asking for moderation in response. The perpetrating nation would deserve punishment severe enough to ensure they never again did such a thing. So my hoping that Israel doesn't escalate sufficiently to squelch Hamas' murders forever is hypocritical.

But it isn't just me. Mr Xi is a hypocrite. https://nu.federati.net/url/291944 [www reuters com] Does anyone imagine that China would not severely punish a nation that did such a thing?

Mr Putin is a hypocrite. He invaded Ukraine because they continued to resist his proxies trying to take over the Donbass. Does anyone believe he would not respond with equal savagery to an invasion and massacre? https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/putin-how-could-russia-benefit-from-hamas-israel-conflict-1.6992759 [www cbc ca]

So, yes. My hope that Israel does not respond to a genocidal attack with genocidal revenge is hypocrisy, and by hoping so, I'm putting myself in the company of some of the worst leaders on the planet.

And yet, I still want the two peoples to figure out how to live side by side in peace. Despite not wanting a genocide, I don't see how this is possible as long as Hamas continues to exist. And since a person's Hamas membership isn't immediately visible (via a uniform or insignia), I don't know how one could "surgically" excise Hamas without also killing lots of innocents.

This is a frustrating place to be in, but that's true of all political / national / ethnic / religious conflicts. The true story generally has deep roots that portray both sides in a negative light ... which is very different from the "heroes of light versus villains of darkness" portrayals that one always sees.