I have often been asked by journalists and political figures what Israel’s plan is for “the day after” in Gaza. My answer has always been that our plan involves the existence of a regime in Gaza that wants to live in peace with Israel.

Many rejected this response as unrealistic.

Recently, we have seen Palestinians in Gaza taking to the streets in protests against Hamas. Many have said “we want a new regime,” “we feel on the brink of despair,” or “we are asking Hamas to relinquish power.” Hundreds of people marched in Gaza City and in Beit Lahia shouting “Hamas out,” and holding signs that read “Hamas does not represent us.”

Why now?

The citizens of Gaza had hoped to return to a normal life during the ceasefire, but now everything is happening to them again. That is where their anger toward Hamas comes from.

They know that if the hostages are released and Hamas is disarmed, the war in Gaza will end in a minute.

So when we talk about “the day after,” we can say that there is hope—because these Palestinians are saying they would like to live in peace with Israel.

It’s not simple. It’s hard to stand up and resist a dictatorship, and in Portugal, people know very well what dictatorship means.

All dictatorships are built on fear. Some Palestinians who had the courage to oppose it were recently executed for taking part in the protests against Hamas.

Last week, we saw horrifying images and videos of Hamas’s violence against the demonstrators. There were Palestinians kidnapped from their homes, tortured to death, their bodies dumped at their families’ doorsteps. What was done to them is almost unbelievable.

To the people in Portugal—especially those on the left—who support the Palestinians, my question is: which Palestinians do you support? Does the left support the brutal and dictatorial regime of Hamas, or does it support the Palestinian people who wish to live in peace with Israel and in freedom?

Where are the human rights defenders of the Palestinians?

Now that Palestinians are in need, where are the solidarity movements for those who do not belong to Hamas?

Why didn’t they come forward to defend the Palestinians killed after the protests in Gaza?

Source: DN