We will never know but I believe this current conflict was provoked by Israel with heavy police presence outside the mosque in Jerusalem.

For what it is worth I have visited Israel and the West Bank, and my sympathies are with Israel as the only democracy in the region.

That does not mean I cannot criticize when it acts wrongly. Sure the whole conflict is incredibly difficult with no easy solutions, but some people want to use it to stay in power.

Of course Hamas is not better, but that is not the expectation for Israel.