Five Years After the Disengagement

Five years ago Israel turned Gaza over to the Palestinians by the request of the United States and the United Nations as an act of good faith to create an opportunity for peace. Since that time Hamas terror organization took control of Gaza and has responded to this act of good faith by using its citizens as cover while it a) deliberately targets Israeli residential communities, b) espouses destruction of the state of Israel, and c) rejects every peace overture offered by Israel and the international community. During the past five years Hamas has terrorized Israel in the Western Negev desert town of Sderot and more recently the larger city of Ashkelon. During this time they have launched well over 5,000 missiles into Israel to date, hundreds of which were launched in the last week, including one recent day in which 80 rockets hit Israel.

Now after five years of Hamas breaking the treaty Israel has decided that enough is enough and has launched an attack not against the residents of Gaza but against the terrorists within Gaza and destroy the tunnels in Gaza that is being used to smuggle weapons and supplies into Gaza to fund the Hamas terrorist group. It is an unfortunate reality that civilians get caught in the attacks and pay a great price. But should the civilians whose family member was killed in the Israeli strikes be angry at the Israeli’s or at Hamas for launching the attacks against Israel from their neighborhoods?

As Israel continues to defend its citizens the White House has showed its support of Israel by putting the blame on Hammas for the Israeli attacks on Gaza. Even Abbas has blamed Hammas for the attacks on Gaza. However, Hamas is continuing its assault on Israel by firing missiles deeper into the Negev. Now the United Nations is demanding that the attacks stop. Why didn’t the UN demand Hamas stop launching missiles into Israel and terrorizing the Israeli citizens? Why is that when Israel starts to defend itself that suddenly the UN is concerned and is calling for an emergency meeting for Wednesday to find a solution?

After spending time in the Middle East I understand that solutions are not as easy as those in the West think. There were promises that Britian and the United States have made to both sides that have gone unmet. Both sides have some legitimate concerns and complaints. Unfortunately, I do not see an easy end in sight. The giving up of land by Israel has not brought about peace and will not bring about peace.