Hamas the real enemy

Columnist Mia Swart is concerned by Germany and other Western allies aiding Israel’s war in Gaza (“No farewell to arms — how Germany profits from the war in Gaza”, April 17).

Israel was brutally attacked on October 7, and many times before that by groups and nations that do not recognise its right to exist. Israel is surrounded by countries and powers that hate it, many citing that they hate Israel for being Jewish. It is only right that other countries are equipping Israel to defend its existence as a safe haven for the Jewish people.

Germany knows this better than any other country after being responsible for the largest genocide against the Jewish people during the Holocaust. It has learnt from its complicity in evil, and understands the importance of a Jewish homeland.

Israel is not committing a genocide in Gaza. A genocide is the intentionall extermination of a racial, ethnic, national or religious group. Israel is not attempting to wipe out the Palestinian people. It wouldn’t be as precise as it has been in its military operations, or have attempted to evacuate civilians and give them aid, if its goal was extermination.

While it is patently false and irresponsible to claim that Israel is performing a genocide, it is indisputably true that Hamas is hiding behind civilians and drawing them into the line of fire. The real enemy here is Hamas, as it has always been. If it had not attacked Israel on October 7, Gaza would still be standing. If Hamas surrendered right now, the war would end.

Germany, the US, the UK and other allies of Israel must continue to aid in the defence of not only the only Jewish state, but the only multicultural democracy in the Middle East.

Nicholas Woode-Smith Cape Town