Israel is one of the more interesting and controversial countries in the world. Those who pay attention to the news seldom are neutral over Israel. However, Israel represents an exception to traditional American and world thinking. Traditionally, we favor the underdog, the country or person with everything against it. This makes the case of Israel even more intriguing. There seems to be a growing voice in world politics against the country that stands on its own, surrounded by countries that want to drive it into the sea. Seldom has such a country been characterized as the bully but the tiny country that stands at the precipice of destruction is seen by some as just that. The reason is an idea that no sane individual would agree with – terrorism is a justifiable tactic.
Every country in the world has the right to protect its borders but Israel does not. Constantly, organizations and activists attempt to violate Israeli waters and enter Palestine illegally at a time when Israel is constantly worried about missile attacks from the Gaza Strip. The Palestinians are getting their missiles some way and only Israel would be criticized for attempting to stop the attacks on their own citizens.
Every country has the right to protect the integrity and security of its country but Israel does not. The proposed boundaries by President Obama in recent months suggest boundaries that would be untenable but Palestinians and its international allies would appreciate such considerations. Not only would a Palestinian state be created, for the first time in history, but Israel would be so weakened and so vulnerable, it makes the possible elimination of the country easier.
Every country has the right to expect friendship from “friends” but Israel does not. The United States, Israel’s most ardent supporter since its creation in 1948, is no longer showing the type of backing that it traditionally has taken as its responsibility. It partly explains the unprecedented scolding by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu towards President Obama during a joint photo session during the Israeli leader’s last visit.
Washington Post columnist Charles Krauthammer made the point that whenever the past presidents attempted to get Israel to the peace tables, they did so by suggesting Israel must make steps towards peace. However, the results led to no steps towards peace by the Palestinians. To add insult to outrage, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is attempting to do an end run around American requirements for statehood by going directly to the United Nations. The deck is stacked against the Israelis. A recent political cartoon titled “World’s favorite sport” showed a circle of feet surrounding a soccer ball with the words Israel emblazoned across it.
Over the last couple of decades, the Palestinians have been making their case with terrorist attacks in the form of missiles and suicide bombers. The universal chorus has always ringed out that terrorism cannot be allowed to dictate policy for it engenders more terrorism. In the case of Israel and the suffering it has incurred at the hands of such tactics, others are turning a blind eye.
The traditional phrase uttered at the conclusion of a Passover Seder is, “Next year in Jerusalem.” As Israel continues to make concessions and the Palestinians continue to ally itself with the Hamas terrorist group and fire rockets into Israel, that aspiration may no longer be possible.
Every country in the world has the right to protect its borders but Israel does not. Constantly, organizations and activists attempt to violate Israeli waters and enter Palestine illegally at a time when Israel is constantly worried about missile attacks from the Gaza Strip. The Palestinians are getting their missiles some way and only Israel would be criticized for attempting to stop the attacks on their own citizens.
Every country has the right to protect the integrity and security of its country but Israel does not. The proposed boundaries by President Obama in recent months suggest boundaries that would be untenable but Palestinians and its international allies would appreciate such considerations. Not only would a Palestinian state be created, for the first time in history, but Israel would be so weakened and so vulnerable, it makes the possible elimination of the country easier.
Every country has the right to expect friendship from “friends” but Israel does not. The United States, Israel’s most ardent supporter since its creation in 1948, is no longer showing the type of backing that it traditionally has taken as its responsibility. It partly explains the unprecedented scolding by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu towards President Obama during a joint photo session during the Israeli leader’s last visit.
Washington Post columnist Charles Krauthammer made the point that whenever the past presidents attempted to get Israel to the peace tables, they did so by suggesting Israel must make steps towards peace. However, the results led to no steps towards peace by the Palestinians. To add insult to outrage, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is attempting to do an end run around American requirements for statehood by going directly to the United Nations. The deck is stacked against the Israelis. A recent political cartoon titled “World’s favorite sport” showed a circle of feet surrounding a soccer ball with the words Israel emblazoned across it.
Over the last couple of decades, the Palestinians have been making their case with terrorist attacks in the form of missiles and suicide bombers. The universal chorus has always ringed out that terrorism cannot be allowed to dictate policy for it engenders more terrorism. In the case of Israel and the suffering it has incurred at the hands of such tactics, others are turning a blind eye.
The traditional phrase uttered at the conclusion of a Passover Seder is, “Next year in Jerusalem.” As Israel continues to make concessions and the Palestinians continue to ally itself with the Hamas terrorist group and fire rockets into Israel, that aspiration may no longer be possible.
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