Israel at War: Week 22
Two thoughts for today as Israel enters day 158. The numbers of both Palestinian and Israeli people mount almost daily—with over 30,000 Palestinian fatalities and over 600 Israeli soldiers and police soldiers killed, the Israel-Hamas War continues. It is very important to remember this fact: that every death, injury, wounded combatant and civilian alike, every displaced person, and demolished building is to be laid at the feet of Hamas. This conflict started when Hamas entered Israel from Gaza and left behind a scene of carnage, destruction, and death.
While many demand Israel give an extended ceasefire, considering the Muslim holiday of Ramadan, and allow extensive supplies into Gaza, a friend’s words ring in my mind: “Hamas has to pay a price.” The pain they experience at this time is not the fault of Israel, but as one Palestinian lady cried out at Hamas militants, “This is your fault, your fault!” She is exactly right. The war must be waged until Hamas is defeated. As Prime Minister Netanyahu said, “This is a war of good against evil, of light against darkness, and light must win.”
Secondly, with President Biden’s announcement and demand that a port be built to allow US aid into the Palestinians, it once again is an act of government overreach. His action declares emphatically that the US will demand and expedite aid, because he does not believe that they are acting fast enough, efficiently enough for him. His actions are motivated by politics and intimidation. How can the US enter Israel, a sovereign nation and our key ally in the Middle East, and require them to build the port and distribute aid to the Palestinians? Israel has done more than enough to care for the Palestinians, and limit civilian casualties, but that is not enough for President Biden. Ultimately, he seems to want Israel defeated and Hamas victorious, and not the other way around.
(Source: The Times of Israel)
