The Conservative Edge

I can’t believe what I’ve been reading in my local newspaper this week. Many people have been writing to the editors, condemning the Israeli retaliation in Gaza. One reader stated that “Israel…is murdering innocent civilians in its so-called war against Hamas”, and that “Israel is no better than Saddam Hussein.” Another letter reads “There is a genocide going on in Gaza today”, and that President-elect Obama should “make a strong statement against the slaughter in Gaza.” There was even a public gathering downtown, where people protested againt Israel’s actions.

Are Americans so blind to the tactics of terrorist organizations? Do they never see the aggression that provokes the retaliation and subsequent war? Do they realize that Israel does indeed have a right–socially, morally, and militarily–to defend its borders and its people?

The Associated Press, at the beginning of the current conflict, reported that Hamas began launching rockets into Israel as the cease-fire agreement was set to expire. Israel was willing to extend the agreement, but Hamas was unwilling to cooperate. The AP also revealed on December 27, 2008, that thousands of Gazans received Arabic-language cell phone messages from the Israeli military, urging them to leave homes where militants might have stashed weapons.

This is the real tragedy: terrorist organizations who put citizens’ lives in danger by hiding weapons and munitions in homes and schools, thereby holding people hostage every day. In a sick form of passive-aggressive methodology, the terrorists actually hope for civilian casualties to further their cause. It works because they know that Israel will retaliate. Hamas (and other militants) are aggressors in picking a fight, but portray themselves as victims of aggression when someone fights back.

Many people wonder why Israel has such sophisticated defenses, built with the help of the United States. The reason is very clear. Israel, a land roughly half the size of my home state of Ohio, is under constant threat. Not only do organizations like Hamas, Fatah, and Hezbollah regularly attack Israeli interests, but the countries of Lebanon, Syria, and Iran pose serious threats too. Imagine being under constant fear of rocket attacks in Ashkelon, or suicide bombs in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. Would you not want your government to protect your right to live?

The United States encountered several terrorist attacks in the 1990’s. From the first attack on the World Trade Center in 1993, to the attack on the USS Cole in 2000, we lost hundreds of fine service people to thugs and cowards like the ones attacking Israel right now. Would any American deny our right to take action against those who harmed us? Even though we didn’t strike back with sufficient vengeance—Bill Clinton allowed Osama Bin Laden to be extradited to Afghanistan—we had (and still have) the right to defend our country. Why should Israel have any less right?

I had the privilege to visit Israel in February of 2000, as they were preparing for the Pope’s historic visit later that year. I only saw a handful of soldiers the whole time I was there. The soldiers were so friendly, in fact, that some of them posed for pictures with certain female members of our tour group. All across the country, people just seemed to enjoy relaxing on their front porches, watching their kids play soccer at school, or buying goodies at the marketplaces. They seemed willing to be peacable folks, but it’s hard to be at peace when neighboring countries keep shooting rockets at them. Again, I ask—why shouldn’t Israel defend its people, and its way of life?