Posted on 01/05/2009 2:46:18 AM PST by 2ndDivisionVet
What's unfortunate about the world-wide condemnation of Israel for invading Gaza is that there was so little condemnation of Hamas during its years of firing rockets into Israel.
Had international outrage been directed at Hamas provocations, it might have dissuaded Hamas from thinking it was invulnerable to Israel's displeasure.
It was the thousands of rockets fired indiscriminately at civilian targets in Israel over the years -- intensified since mid-December when the Egyptian-brokered six month ceasefire was terminated by Hamas -- that led to the air attacks and now land invasion by Israel.
Despite urgings by the Pope, the UN and world leaders (including America) for a ceasefire, Israel will do what it feels it must to protect the state and its citizens.
And Israel is right. No country, not even the U.S., is as concerned about Israel's survival as are Israelis. Whether it is knocking out Iraq's French-built Osirak nuclear site in 1981, or bombing the suspect North Korean-sponsored nuclear site in Syria in 2007, Israel does what it thinks it must do for its own survival.
Foreign advice and urgings are based on the national interests of those giving advice, and Israel is right to be wary of appeasing others for the sake of appeasement.
Today's furious rhetoric is aimed at Israel's alleged "over-reaction," or "disproportionate response," to Hamas' rocket provocations -- as if a country or people should be confined to respond only in kind.
There is only one thing that should concern Israel about its air attacks and invasion of Gaza, and that is that it succeeds, and is quick.
Success is the prime virtue in war (and/or politics).
Wars that are won, are rarely unpopular.
Had the U.S. been content with winning it's lightning invasion of Iraq, and then leaving as soon as Saddam Hussein's tyranny was successfully deposed, President George Bush would be regarded as one of America's better presidents instead of being a contender for the worst.
Israel's intent is to eliminate Hamas' lethal infrastructure; to defuse its rocket capabilities. Perhaps even to undermine its authority, and return the more sensible Palestinian Authority, or Fatah, to run Gaza. This may be an unlikely prospect, but at least neutralizing the existing threat is feasible.
Israeli prestige suffered after the 33-day war with Hezbollah in 2006 because it didn't win quickly and decisively. Military flaws were evident.
A ceasefire is not peace. Israel's air assaults, and now its invasion happened only because Hamas provoked such a response by its continuing harassment by rockets. What choice did Israel have other than to retaliate?
No country wants peace (not necessarily friendship) with its neighbours more than Israel does. Instead of street marches, demonstrations, protests against Israel, Iran-backed Hamas should be brought to heel, or persuaded to behave.
Hamas encourages deaths of Palestinian civilians as a public relations ploy against Israel. And in a Pavlovian reflex, the world usually responds as expected, deploring Israel's need to fight back.
Repeatedly, Hamas avows its determination to eliminate Israel.
Only Israel takes these threats seriously.
Those who say Israel's attack will rally international support for Hamas don't understand the Mideast. Losers aren't revered; martyrs are not winners.
Perhaps the main reason Israel chose to attack now, and not prolong Hamas' harassment, is that it wanted to react on President Bush's watch, and not delay until Barack Obama was inaugurated.
Obama's pledge to support Israel may be negotiable -- George Bush's support is proven. A new administration in Washington will have little choice but to accept a fait accompli -- assuming it is victory for Israel.
Sometimes something good comes out of Canada. It couldn’t be stated any simpler than this. A little more emphasis on how Hamas, AND THE “CIVILIANS” who put them into power want to die and completely dupe the masses would have been nice, but that’s ok.
More should be said about the Complicity of the Press in the strategy of Hamas to use Civilians as shields to be paraded before the compliant Press as propoganda .
the Media can write the headlines without even getting out of bed . Israekl bombed and killed more Civilians today as the poor Palestinians headed for cover
“Had the U.S. been content with winning it’s lightning invasion of Iraq, and then leaving as soon as Saddam Hussein’s tyranny was successfully deposed..”
He doesn’t understand the objectives of Operation Iraqi Freedom. It was not to leave an anarchic state but to foster a democratic ally.
>It was not to leave an anarchic state but to foster a democratic ally.
Thank you.
Yup - especially since these “innocent civilians” put these terrorists into power! They knew exactly what they were doing and what would be headed their way. Sadly, I believe that there are small numbers of Palestinians who actually would like to live normal, peaceful lives. Perhaps now their numbers will grow and they will find the courage to speak up against being bullied by terrorists, although that will bring about their demise just as surely as the current mess.
For years the neighborhood brat has been poking the adults with a pointy stick.
Now the brat is getting spanked.
One MSM get it, most msmers sides with the brat.
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Of course Israel has a choice...national suicide is an option..
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