Gaza Conflict 2021

Jonathan Schanzer

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About

The May 2021 conflict between Israel and the terrorist group Hamas generated headlines around the world. However, much of the reporting ignored the history, funding, political dynamics, and other key components of the story. Hamas initiates conflict every few years. But the reporting rarely improves. Social media has only further clouded the picture. Hamas is rarely held responsible for its use of “human shields,” blindly firing rockets at civilian areas in Israel, or diverting aid that should benefit the people of Gaza.

The Islamic Republic of Iran, a state sponsor of terrorism, has been the primary patron of Hamas since the group’s inception in the late 1980s. Hamas has received additional assistance over the years from Qatar, Turkey and Malaysia. These countries are fomenting conflict, while others, such as Egypt, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain, have tried to minimize it. Gaza is therefore ground zero in a struggle for the future stability of the Middle East.

The Biden administration has important choices to make. Its intent to re-enter the Iran nuclear deal could have significant consequences, given that sanctions relief to Iran will likely yield a financial boon for Hamas, along with other Iranian proxies. The Biden administration must also come to terms with “The Squad” — a small but loud faction of the Democratic Party that seeks to undermine the US-Israel relationship.

Reviews

“In an accessible, concise narrative geared toward the general public, the volume begins with a history of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, with a special focus on the rise of Hamas. Central to the author’s motivation in writing the book is his belief that the Western media failed to accurately cover the war. In addition to the media downplaying ‘the brutality of Hamas’ and neglecting to acknowledge ‘how far Israel went to protect its own people’ through defensive rather than offensive tactics, the volume argues that the role of Iran in stoking the conflict was insufficiently analyzed by Western journalists.” –Kirkus Reviews

“Jonathan Schanzer does a great service by documenting what life is really like under Hamas-rule in Gaza. He explains what the Western media consistently fails to report about the nature of the Hamas-Israel conflict, especially the role of its biggest enabler: Iran. For those interested in the truth about the 2021 Gaza war and the history leading up to the conflict, his book is a must-read.” –Amb. Nikki R. Haley, former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations

“Dr. Jonathan Schanzer is an indispensable expert on conflict and opportunities in the Middle East, sought out by policymakers on both sides of the aisle in Washington. Here he employs brilliant research and trenchant analysis to uncover the true sources of the recent outbreak of violence between the terrorist group Hamas and Israel. This is the manual for anyone looking to understand the true dynamics at play in the conflict over Gaza, and what it means for the United States, Israel, and our key interests in the region.” –Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ)

“Jonathan has long provided extremely valuable analysis on defining moments of conflict in the Middle East. Now he gives us an impeccable analysis on what’s really driving the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians and why the international community has it so wrong. Highly recommended for anyone searching for a deeper understanding of the Gaza war.” Rep. Mike Waltz (R-FL)

“If you want to understand the hell in a very small place that is Gaza, read this book. In telling the story of the 2021 war between Israel and Hamas, Jonathan Schanzer exposes fundamental misunderstandings about the nature of Hamas and its sources of external support. Gaza Conflict 2021 explains past events in a way that illuminates the future — a future in which more conflict appears inevitable.” –H.R. McMaster, author of Dereliction of Duty and Battlegrounds: The Fight to Defend the Free World

“Jonathan Schanzer’s new book provides a wide and clear picture on the roots and history of Hamas, as well as the terrorist group’s present and future. It is a must-read to understand the context for the 2021 Gaza confrontation. It fills the gaps that the international media missed. It also explains the substantial and negative role of the Islamic Republic of Iran, including its support for terror activities all over the world, and the way it wields local proxies to battle Israel.” – Meir Ben-Shabbat, former Israeli national security adviser