08
2009
I Support Israel
It’s been far too long since posting anything, but this is big enough for me to come out of hiding.
Israel. Why does everyone hate them? I knew anti-Israel sentiments were widespread, but this most recent conflict is highlighting them like Carmex on a cold sore. Even the “liberal media” in the US has jumped on the bandwagon. But why? All previously-existing bias aside, this military operation is one of the most justified there is. Significantly moreso than us going into Iraq.
Israel has never wanted anything but peace. I don’t remember the exact details, but I remember being told the anecdote of Israel offering Palestinians up to 97% of the land that Israel had at the time. The response was the then-Palestinian President walking out of the room. It’s hard to make peace with a group that firmly believes you have no right to exist.
In 2005, Israel took a major step toward aquiring peace with Palestinians, by forcibly removing all Israelis from Gaza. They left Gaza so that a) there would be no clashes between Israelis and Palestinians resulting in violence, and b) Palestinians would be able to build up its own infrastructure and begin to thrive. Instead, Hamas illegally took control of the Palestinian government and spent money on improving its arsenal instead of any practical development. More than three years later, 80% of Palestinians in Gaza have to receive UN humanitarian aid just to survive (the media has been deceiving; the aid that is constantly being mentioned as not being allowed to enter Gaza is not necessary as a result of Israel’s defensive fighting, but is a result of a failed government). The UN had to establish schools and other basic necessities in Gaza because the Palestinians’ own government would not.
Also since then, Israel has maintained a tight border with Gaza, stopping everyone and everything crossing through. It has been necessary because, despite the pullout from Gaza by Israel, Hamas has sought continued attacks against Israeli civilians through rockets fired from Gaza and through suicide bombers and other bombs smuggled into Israel. Hamas’ mastery of media manipulation began long ago when images of ambulances stopped at the checkpoints were displayed for the world to see. How could Israel be so heartless as to stop an ambulance during an emergency? Because Hamas has used ambulances to smuggle bombs into Israel!
Hamas is a terrorist group by any definition of the word. Their open disregard for any life in Israel – both civilian and military - is blatant evidence of this. They have continued their aggression against innocent Israelis from across the border, even during specific periods of “calm”, and all at the expense of their own people.
Two weeks ago, Israel finally stood up for itself. It waited longer than any other country would ever last watching targeted attacks grip its own citizens with fear. They retaliated with the specific intent of stopping Hamas’ (note: not Palestinians’) attacks against Israel. They are fighting in both self-defense and in an effort to stop the terrorism in its country.
So why the hell is everyone up in arms about Israel’s “aggression”? I truly don’t understand it. For once, I am completely proud of my government’s reaction to the situation (it’s about time I’m impressed by something the President does). They get it. No one else seems to.
Tonight, the UN Security Council passed a resolution for a truce in Gaza. The US abstained, but the other 14 members voted in favor. Awesome – let’s go back to square one. Instead of the UN taking a look at the underlying causes of this conflict, they’re succumbing to pressure to merely “do something”. All they’re doing now is saying “Stop fighting, you guys. It’s not nice.” I’m curious to see what the immediate effect of this resolution is, because if Israel pulls back, I can guarantee it won’t be long before Hamas-fired rockets start landing in Israel and we’re back to square one. Nothing will be resolved. “Resolution”? Yeah right.
I think a lot of people are bothered by the number of civilian deaths being reported in Gaza. I’ll admit it’s tough to read some of the numbers, but I quickly dismiss any question I have of Israel’s tactics. For starters, the deaths are being reported by Palestinians. While I’m sure they’re not blatantly lying, I have to consider the bias at least slightly. But the biggest reason I don’t let it get to me is because it is Hamas’ disregard for its own people that is really to blame. They use their own civilians as human shields. They use schools are arsenals.
Israel knows that this is the case, too. That’s why Israel has repeatedly announced its military’s arrival before launching an assault on a specific area. They’ve dropped leaflets from planes and made calls telling civilians to get out! They significantly risk their own safety in an effort to save the Palestinian civilians that Hamas has shown they do not care about. As far as I’m concerned (and anybody should be concerned), every Palestinian civilian death is the fault of his/her own government. (Meanwhile, Hamas has consistently targeted Israeli civilians in its terrorist attacks.)
I don’t get it. How is Israel the bad guy? Sure Hamas released photos that the media eats up, but governments should be smarter than that. The UN should be smarter than that. It just baffles me beyond belief.
I’ve made a lot of claims here, and I wish I had solid sources to cite for each. Unfortunately, this is the culmination of a lot of paying attention to many many sources for some time. I assure you that any fact here can be backed up with simple research.
I also know that I’ve probably left some things out, but the bulk of my feelings are here. Despite any question of my facts and these possible omissions, I just need to firmly state that I SUPPORT ISRAEL.
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