I had enormous respect for the Palestinian people before this genocide and how they have conducted themselves through this cruel torture has only underscored what dignified, intelligent, mindful, generous, courageous people they are.

Perhaps because of the enforced isolation all these years, they may be compared to island people who develop their own unique cultures. The Palestinian one has an agrarian foundation with attachment to the land and ecosystem and built on that, respect and value for education and independence, art, food, music, dance. Rich, true and beautiful.

Hamas has been the adult in the room through these last two years, behaving with enormous dignity, courage and reason for the purpose of winning freedom and human rights for their people, who have suffered so terribly and displayed those same values in their struggles and deprivation. So much has been lost; they will never give up the fight now.

I want to see an independent investigation into what happened on Oct 7 with the facts laid bare and blame assigned where it lies. To get rid of the fairy tale version that Israel has put out and will always adhere to until forced otherwise.

It's terrifying to see the players lining up to run Palestinian affairs or to push them aside and westernize Palestine, without even consulting with Palestinians, as if they are invisible. And to think about what will happen when Palestinians continue to demand freedom, human rights and autonomy which they will surely do.