Recently, Israel has again come under attack by the terrorist group Hamas which has broken a cease-fire. Israel immediately and decisively counterattacked, destroying Hamas rocket launchers, headquarters, and killing key Hamas leaders. They have also destroyed mosques inside which weapons were being stored.
In characteristic fashion, Israel has been condemned by the world for merely defending itself. This condemnation does not come merely from muslim extremists and their supporters who hang effigies of Israel and America and burn them. Israel has also been accused of "overreacting" by the leaders of Western nations and even the Pope. While I understand the Holy Father's commitment to peace, I firmly believe that by straddling the fence on this conflict, he is only adding fuel to the fire.
Let me discuss some issues which lie beneath the superficial aspects of this conflict. So many Americans hear news about "fighting between Israel and Palestine" and adopt an ambivalent attitude. "It's their war," and "Oh, they're fighting again." It really is important for Americans to care and important to take a side - the right side.
Time and time again, Israel has been attacked. My grandfather, in fact, was part of an Army which invaded Israel. The only times Israel has ever attacked is when they observed their enemies massing forces or developing WMD. This nation, surrounded by mortal enemies, has a right to defend itself.
Hamas did not break this cease-fire because they woke up one morning and suddenly remembered they hate the Jews. Hamas' actions are based on several internal and external factors:
1. Hamas and Fatah are rivals for power in Palestine. In order to win the support of the people, Hamas is demonstrating a bold and violent commitment to act upon the hatred of the populace at large. When people cast Hamas as the violent bullies and excuse the Palestinian masses as "innocent civilians", they are really missing the point. Hamas is playing on the general hatred Palestinians have for Jews.
2. The previous "cease-fire" was merely a pause for Hamas to regroup. Israel is militarily stronger than its enemies which is how it defeated them in every war. This is why Palestinians resort to terrorism and guerilla tactics. When the Palestinians decide to stop fighting, it is precisely because they are back on their heels and need respite. They use the "cease-fire" to replenish their ranks, capitalizing on their losses; they recruit at funerals! They also use the lull to import more weapons, train, plan, and prepare for attacks. So for the clarification of all you "peaceniks" out there, the cessation of fighting by Palestinians is not an encouraging olive branch - it is preparation for more warfare.
3. Iran, China, Russia, Syria, and violence-supporting elements in Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Egypt and other states provide weapons and assistance to the Palestinians to maintain violence. For Iran, the violence distracts attention from their own nuclear ambitions and uses hatred against Jews to suppress domestic dissent. Syria and the other Arab nations are similarly pandering to the masses. While maintaining a "diplomatic" air of supporting peace, they covertly supply arms with a wink and nod to the hateful people in their regimes. For China, Russia, and perhaps even France, the violence is an opportunity to profit from weapons sales and also stick a thumb in the eye of the United States.
4. Palestinians are not merely attacking Israel, they are violating all of the conventions of war. They use mosques to store weapons and plan attacks because they know that the Geneva Convention protects such places and that the images of Israel bombing mosques will fuel hatred of Jews among muslims. The fact, though, is that using mosques for this purpose is a violation of the Geneva Convention and makes them lawful targets. But the UN, Arab nations, and Jew-haters choose not to see it that way. Palestinians also deliberately place their rocket launchers and headquarters in populated areas, so that when the inevitable Israel counter-strike comes, they can use the deaths of "innocent" civilians as a propaganda machine.
In the light of this information, I cannot understand how people who claim to be committed to peace continue to chant support for Palestine. In Berkeley and San Francisco there is a committed group of liberal activists who miss no opportunity to wave their "Free Palestine" banners and openly support the "revolution". These people wear black in faux concern for the lives lost, ignoring the innocent Israelis who died in the initial attacks. They wear "peace symbols." War is peace? Did I miss something here?
Israel stated that they were "taking off the gloves." I say, "it's about time!"
Meanwhile, the UN Human Rights Commission will continue to occupy their time condemning Israel which has rightfully ceased to pay any attention to it, and ignore real human rights abuses in Cuba, Syria, Saudi Arabia, North Korea, China, Russia, Libya, and the rest of the non-free world.
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