In the final days of World War II, my father found himself passing thru one of the German extermination camps, as part of a team doing an initial check on the risk of fire. There were only a few prisoners/victims remaining in the camp, but they made a huge impression on my father. He never described the horrors he saw, and he wouldn’t tolerate any lack of sympathy or respect for the Jewish people — teaching me well.

I have been fortunate to have enjoyed many Jewish friends over the years and even vacationed with some, but I’ve never had a Palestinian friend. Years ago, I was assigned to Washington, where my new office was next to a very bright Palestinian woman. Being stupidly insensitive, I once asked her why so many Palestinians became terrorists. She teared-up, saying if she had to tell me, then I would never understand. She asked me if I had ever been a refugee, especially a refugee in my own country? Since I’ve never had that experience, she believed I could never understand.

To my Jewish friends, please enjoy today’s “festival of lights” – you deserve it!
To my Palestinian friends, if I ever find one, I do understand . . . “No justice, no peace” . . .

In this unfolding Israeli-Gaza tragedy, my heart is 100% with Israel! At the same time, however, the Palestinians also deserve our sympathy and respect and . . . understanding.

Of course, HAMAS can rot in hell! They deserve it!