IN NAME ONLY

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Backed Into a Corner

Not surprisingly the international community, and much of the media, has gone out of its way to condemn Israel for its response to the latest violence in the Gaza Strip. The short-term memory loss of these people is truly staggering. Hamas lobs rockets into Israel, but it is the state of Israel who must defend its actions. The Jewish state is lectured about “proportionate” and “measured” military responses by nations who would act similarly given the same circumstances. No sane human being enjoys the death and maiming of innocent civilians. Still, there comes a point where there is no way around these tragedies. That time is now. The Israelis are dealing with an enemy who has no desire for peace, an enemy who cares nothing for Jewish or Palestinian lives. Their sole desire is to wipe Israel off the map, regardless of who must be sacrificed in the process.

Where is the outrage against Hamas for using their Palestinian brethren as human shields? Where is the condemnation of Hamas for shooting rockets from civilian locations, such as schools and mosques? Instead Hamas’ actions are accepted as a given, while it is Israel who is accused of crimes against humanity for defending itself.

Shortly the global community led by that den of despotism and corruption–the United Nations–will call for another cease-fire so humanitarian aid can be delivered to the Palestinian people. Inevitably that aid will find its way into the hands of Hamas. And while it is being confiscated, Hamas will take advantage of the lull in the fighting to smuggle more weapons into the Gaza. It is a story that has been repeated ad nauseum.

I am not suggesting that Israel is blameless in the Arab-Israeli conflict. I have little doubt that Arab claims of second-class treatment at the hands of the Israeli government are true. However, it is difficult to sympathize with the Arab world when much of it longs to exterminate the Israeli state. If there is blame to be placed for the death and destruction in Gaza, it should rest on the soldiers of nations such as Iran and Syria– nations that support terrorist organizations like Hamas. These governments are responsible for more Arab deaths than Israel could ever inflict.

Watching the death of innocents is heart-wrenching and whatever can be done to limit this loss of life should be done. But a lethal military response is necessary. To speak of peace talks with evil murderers like Hamas is an insult to the dead–both Israeli and Palestinian.

Donald Tremblay