How you can inform yourself about the Israel-Hamas-Palestine Conflict
Written by Vishaka Priyan ‘26 and Violet Bouwes-van Nood ‘24
On behalf of CatlinSpeak
CatlinSpeak would like to acknowledge the ongoing conflict that is going on between Israel, Hamas, and Palestine, recognizing that these events have had a significant impact on our community. We acknowledge our limitations as non-experts and recognize that it would be near impossible to give accurate, unbiased information. Instead, we would like to offer guidance on how to research the topic to form your own conclusions.
Peter Shulman, a teacher at Catlin Gabel School (CGS) who teaches a class on the modern Middle East, says “I do think people should read a wide range of sources, at a minimum, just to understand that different people understand the history and present, in very different ways.”
Most sources will have some bias but reading different sources will allow a more comprehensive understanding of the situation, giving more information to make informed opinions.
Shulman states, “It’s wise to avoid jumping to conclusions about breaking news; stories can be hard to verify, sometimes there is purposeful misinformation being put out there, and just plenty of misunderstandings as well.”
CatlinSpeak encourages individuals to make well-informed opinions by exploring a variety of sources. We recommend the book "Side by Side: Parallel Histories of Israel-Palestine" which was written by Sami Adwan a Palestinian scholar and Dan Bar-On an Israeli scholar as a possible resource to aid in your research and understanding of the complex issues surrounding the Israel-Hamas-Palestine conflict.
Here are a list of next steps that you can take to further inform yourself:
Explore a wide range of sources such as news articles, analysis pieces, and opinion pieces from both mainstream and alternative media outlets to verify information
The Israel-Hamas conflict has deep historical roots. To understand its origins and complexities, look into the historical context, including the establishment of Israel, Palestinian displacement, and the formation of Hamas.
Examine the humanitarian consequences of the conflict. Investigate how the war affects civilians, infrastructure, and daily life for those living in the affected areas.
Engage in respectful discussions with peers, teachers, and experts.
Remember that there are a multitude of resources available to support you at CGS, such as our counselors Dan Petrocelli and Erin Gilmore, your advisors, and teachers.