Unless there is Punishment, More will Follow

The good news is that some of the vandals were arrested. The good news is that President Biden condemned the attack.

A number of days ago, a convoy full of humanitarian aid from Jordan made its way through the West Bank, on its way to Gaza. But it did not travel peacefully. Israeli settlers living in the West Bank intercepted it, looting the trucks, taking cases of supplies and crashing them to the ground. Then, a short time later, two of the trucks in the convoy were set to flames.

The attacks are but a reflection of perhaps the dominant belief of the Israeli people these days: The Gazans are but Hamas, and they are bad people who deserve no aid. Instead, they need to be wiped off the face of the land.

True, the feelings of the Israeli people have been inflamed by the long history of attacks by Hamas and Palestine. There have been suicide bombers, bombs reigning from the skies, and the chants of "from the river to the seas."

Hatred exists on both sides. But we, as a world, cannot condone it. It is good that some of the vandals were arrested. It is good that Biden condemned the attack. But, somehow, I do not feel enough  has been done. How rapid can the investigation take place? What has become of those arrested? Are they being charged? Have they been released? Will others be arrested? Or were the initial arrests but a show for the media, not to be followed with any punishment?

When incidents of this nature occur, they must be condemned and punished. Such conduct will only continue to spiral if action against it is not taken.