Spring Break
In defense of Israel
Paul Hawkins
Issue date: 1/27/09 Section: Opinion
Israel unilaterally decided to declare a ceasefire in Gaza. No international story dominated the headlines over our holiday break more than the Israel-Gaza conflict. The terror and destruction of warfare was on full display and we were reminded of the horrors that conflict can bring. It is also important to remember that while warfare is tragic, it is also-many times-tragically necessary.
It is important to establish one fact: Hamas is a terrorist organization. They have been designated as such by the U.S. State Department, and in the past, they have been responsible for the deaths of Israeli and Palestinian civilians. They do not recognize Israel's right to exist as a nation. Their intent is to drive the Jewish people out of Palestinian territory. This group is irreconcilable, and unlike Fatah, the last party in power in Palestine, refuses to negotiate at the peace table.
Hamas has, for a long time, been firing rockets into southern Israel. These rockets may not be very sophisticated but they are still deadly. Rockets have fallen into Israeli neighborhoods and elementary schools killing innocent civilians. In my opinion, a military offensive to destroy Hamas-or at least destroy their capacity to operate effectively was long overdue.
It's true that there has been collateral damage, but this is an unfortunate byproduct of warfare and should not downplay Israel's efforts in Gaza. My greatest fear is that this ceasefire is premature. In 2006, Israel's invasion of southern Lebanon (an effort to rid the area of Hezbollah's rocket-firing capabilities) was cut short because of international pressure and the operation was largely unsuccessful. Every time a Hamas rocket is fired into Israel, their sovereignty is violated. This environment is unacceptable for the Israeli people.
What has been puzzling to me is the outcry against Israel. As we have already established, Hamas is a terrorist group. Many couch Hamas' anti-Israeli stance as being in "solidarity" with Palestinian's. This is also problematic. Hamas is a threat to future Palestinian security and prosperity. They do not support a two-state solution and they continue to provoke Israel and cause further bloodshed.
It is important to establish one fact: Hamas is a terrorist organization. They have been designated as such by the U.S. State Department, and in the past, they have been responsible for the deaths of Israeli and Palestinian civilians. They do not recognize Israel's right to exist as a nation. Their intent is to drive the Jewish people out of Palestinian territory. This group is irreconcilable, and unlike Fatah, the last party in power in Palestine, refuses to negotiate at the peace table.
Hamas has, for a long time, been firing rockets into southern Israel. These rockets may not be very sophisticated but they are still deadly. Rockets have fallen into Israeli neighborhoods and elementary schools killing innocent civilians. In my opinion, a military offensive to destroy Hamas-or at least destroy their capacity to operate effectively was long overdue.
It's true that there has been collateral damage, but this is an unfortunate byproduct of warfare and should not downplay Israel's efforts in Gaza. My greatest fear is that this ceasefire is premature. In 2006, Israel's invasion of southern Lebanon (an effort to rid the area of Hezbollah's rocket-firing capabilities) was cut short because of international pressure and the operation was largely unsuccessful. Every time a Hamas rocket is fired into Israel, their sovereignty is violated. This environment is unacceptable for the Israeli people.
What has been puzzling to me is the outcry against Israel. As we have already established, Hamas is a terrorist group. Many couch Hamas' anti-Israeli stance as being in "solidarity" with Palestinian's. This is also problematic. Hamas is a threat to future Palestinian security and prosperity. They do not support a two-state solution and they continue to provoke Israel and cause further bloodshed.
Viewing Comments 1 - 9 of 13
Nesren Elhertani
posted 1/27/09 @ 9:48 PM EST
It's sad when the media tries to overshadow the deaths of thousands of innocent Palestinian civilians with the greater belief that Hamas must be stopped. (Continued…)
Sinjun
posted 1/28/09 @ 12:24 AM EST
Fact of the matter is Hamas should be stopped not just for the sake of Isreal but also for the Palestinian people as well. What your source doesn't tell you is that Hamas is using the Palestinian people as a shield so that they can attack isreal. (Continued…)
Hmm
posted 1/28/09 @ 2:51 PM EST
I'm to the point where I no longer see any merit in either side of the argument.
Both sides basically want all of it for themselves. When you strip away the rhetoric, you end up with two groups of people determined to dispossess the other side. (Continued…)
J
posted 1/29/09 @ 7:56 AM EST
Well, Britney if they care so much about their own people, why do they fight like cowards using their fellow citizens as shields. The innocent Palestinian people will stop dying when the citizens in that part of the world clean up its own mess and wipe the radicals off the face of the Earth. (Continued…)
Sinjun
posted 1/29/09 @ 12:48 PM EST
to Britney:
I know full and well Hamas won elections, but winning an election does not mean that you are really looking out for the welfare of your people, these are two seperate things. (Continued…)
WAKE UP
posted 2/03/09 @ 10:40 PM EST
Jews, Muslims, and Christians everywhere need to unite NOW. There is something larger going on in the World. We are all just being distracted by the elite. (Continued…)
Religion sucks
posted 2/04/09 @ 1:42 AM EST
Don't you see the corruption in religion? Throughout history, many religious groups have been fighting and killing simply over disagreements in beliefs. (Continued…)
RONALD
posted 2/05/09 @ 3:11 AM EST
This article is one sided and the east Carolinian should not of published such nonsense. I was in Israel on my so called dream vacation and saw the true Israeli BEAST!!! I used to think we need to support our friends in these tough times against the terrible Hamas!!! UNITIL!!! I stood one the Berlin wall through out the country and witness the most massive bulldozers crushing homes, building, cars, and so called (8 year old) Hamas leaders. (Continued…)
MOSHE RABEYNU
posted 4/08/09 @ 5:59 PM EST
A TREATISE ON THE NEED FOR A SEMITIC MODERN MASTURBATION MENTALITY
By Rebbe Moshe "hung so lo" Rabeynu, March 23, 2009
comments
CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS MUST BE INCULCATED AS TO THE BENEFITS OF MASTURBATION IN THE ATTAINMENT AND MAINTENANCE OF A HEALTHY MIND AND A HEALTHY BODY! PENT UP SEXUAL FRUSTRATION IN CHILDREN HAS NEVER BEEN HONESTLY AND ADEQUATELY DISCUSSED AND DEALT WITH IN JEWISH DISCOURSE AND DOCTRINE. (Continued…)
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