Yes, and the settlers in Gaza were the equivalent of squatters. That's why Israel removed them. The same is true of the Jewish settlers in the West Bank, the parts of the West Bank barrier that cut into Palestinian territory, and, essentially, every piece of Israeli territory outside of the 1967 borders. This isn't controversial. International law on this is perfectly clear. They are illegally occupying other peoples land. And doing so wilfully.
As I say in the article, if you oppress people or steal from them, you will generate "security concerns." I could spend all day listing, in meticulous detail, the violence Israelis have committed against Palestinians. In fact, it would take me far longer than a day. If you kill people's children and rob them of their freedom, some of them will try to kill you. It's just ridiculously silly to ignore this very obvious fact. You're pointing at a chicken but refusing to acknowledge the existence of the egg.
For example, Hamas generated "security concerns" by choosing to storm into southern Israel and kill civilians. I've seen many people argue that their attack justifies any response Israel chooses. I think this is an insane position. But let's all agree it justifies some degree of response.
Similarly, Israel's oppression and blockade of Palestinians has generated "security concerns." I've seen people argue that Israel's actions justify any response from Hamas. This, too, is an insane position. But again, there will always be a degree of response. The goal is to end this cycle so that nobody else, Israeli or Palestinian, dies in this senseless war.
The argument of who was living where for centuries is utterly inane at this point. Palestinians were violently removed from their homes and raped and slaughtered in the Nakba. Israel has repeatedly denied them the right of return. Do you advocate as vigorously for their right to the land they lived on for centuries? I suspect not.
Both Arabs and Jews have lived on that land for centuries. But now, thanks to Israeli laws, a Jew who was born and raised in Brooklyn has greater citizenship and property rights in that land than an Arab who has lived there for generations. I understand why Arabs reject this.
