Published in Long Island Jewish World Newspapers, April 13-19, 2018
By Howard Teich
No country need accept a terror organization threatening to disrupt their future. Gaza’s Hamas, backed by Iran it appears, claims that it is marching to Jerusalem to take back a country and land that was never theirs.
Its mission is to get inside Israel. It is not to peacefully protest on its side of the border. It is to cross the border, destroy the security fence, and invade the Land of Israel.
Those are the facts on the ground. And Israel has the responsibility to safeguard its citizens, and protect its country like any other country would do, and should, do.
When I saw the movie, The Darkest Hour, telling the story of Winston Churchill and his courage in facing the WWII enemies when he took over the British leadership from Neville Chamberlain, I immediately thought of Israel today. Certainly, this is not the darkest hour for Israel, in fact I could make the case that it is one of the brightest periods, yet it is a time that we all must stand by Prime Minister Netanyahu and his decisive leadership that has solidified and protected the future of Israel. He is no Chamberlain.
And yet the world criticizes Israel for protecting its future. This Gaza insurrection is tantamount to an attempted invasion. Tens of thousands of Israeli citizens are in nearby towns, protected only by the security fence and the Israel Defense Forces(IDF) from these highly intentioned Hamas terrorists. And whatever force is necessary to protect Israeli citizens from the actions of outside enemy troops cannot, and should not be considered from the point of view that they may have been overly harsh, that it is disproportionate. Israel has given the warnings that it will be tough this time, and the people in Gaza have their choice.
So, let’s really start to clarify the game being played out on the ground. Yes, I said enemy troops. The Gazan, Iran-backed terrorists may not be clothed in traditional military uniforms, but make no mistake, they are military troops. And in their current actions, they have prepared for battle, and entered into battle. It is not a peaceful rally when known radical terrorists, openly enemies of Israel, mix themselves in with women and children, knowing that they are creating a clearly dangerous, yes, a potentially tragic situation. In fact, it is hardly civilized that Hamas puts women and children on the frontlines, and that is what really needs to be investigated, and called out by the world.
This so-called “March to Return” began on March 30th, and was announced by the Gazans to be a six-week protest for the right of return of the descendants of the Palestinian people who left their land in 1948, and scheduled to end on May 15 with their return to Jerusalem. It is reported that Hamas will pay the families of anyone killed, $3,000, and lesser amounts for those injured. Hamas has strategically set up tents for the terrorists and their allied participants along the 40 mile stretch of the border.
This is no peaceful demonstration, and yet the automatic reaction included the Secretary-General of the United Nations Antonio Guterres calling for an independent investigation of Israel’s response, and Kuwait bringing a draft resolution before the UN Security Council on the night of the first Passover Seder, Shabbat evening, that an investigation proceed. Although Israel would not betray the holiday and appear, the United States, to our great credit, blocked the resolution, and US Ambassador Nikki Haley once again stood up for Israel, and for true justice.
The draft resolution called for Israel to respect “international human rights law and humanitarian law including protection of civilians”, and called on the Israelis to show restraint to prevent further escalation. It was reported that the Palestinian Authority in Ramallah launched an attack on Ambassador Haley, attacking her as an “Ambassador of animosity, hatred and dark ideology.” We must ask: where was the world-wide call for the Gazans to respect the security of an independent country, Israel?
After years of listening to the insidious public relations attacks of the Palestinians, and trying to “sheepishly” defend Israel, it is time we called things as they are. NO, we need not “sheepishly” defend Israel. We need applaud Israel, and speak truth to power.
When the Palestinians reportedly made a statement that the “massacre carried out by Israel occupation forces against defenseless civilians during the peaceful Anniversary of Land Day,” we need to call them on their lies and misrepresentations, not apologetically but forcefully and angrily. They have the choice. Israel has reportedly indicated that every person that comes close to the fence risks their lives. So, Hamas need pay attention this time.
Israel on its own left Gaza, pulled out their citizens from Gush Katif, destroying beautiful Jewish communities, to leave Gaza for the Palestinians, to create the opportunity for a peaceful transition on that land. Instead of developing the possibilities of the land and its beaches, Hamas and the Palestinian Authority established in Gaza a terrorist center that has not spent its money on improving its people’s well-being nor establishing the potential of Gaza as a future Palestinian gem with a growing economy and potential tourist mecca.
It has created an infrastructure to maintain their goal of the destruction of Israel, holding its people back even to the extent of keeping their citizens in substandard UNRWA refugee camps to make the case that their people remain displaced from their homes.
In that time, Israel has had to defend itself against thousands of missiles launched against the people of Israel by Hamas, sheltering their neighboring cities and villages. I even had to run for shelter from one of those missiles at the end of the last Gaza War, so I know it is real. Israel was diplomatically and verbally attacked by many countries and people for these wars, and I ask the question for the world to answer: does not Israel, and the Jewish people, have a right to defend their own country, and live in peace? If not, then the world best have a solid rationale for their thinking, and I have no doubt that I will not be happy with its thinking.
Realize that Gaza is now one prong on a multi-front aggressive strategy to take over, and destroy Israel. This is an open conversation of Israel’s enemy neighbors, backed by an Iranian regime that looks to the day that the destruction is real. Israel has fought against a Hamas radical terrorist organization that hides behind their civilians, many good people, women and children, who are under their control and at their mercy, and deserve better in their lifetimes.
Israel and many of its Arab neighbors now are finding common ground, the potential for a bright future that will enhance the lives of all their people. The possibilities are unlimited if this path is followed. No more excuses for those who breed evil, no more appeasement for enemies to a future world of peace. And no more Chamberlains who do not act forcefully for what is right and good. The time is now to call out Hamas, Hezbollah, and their terrorist cohorts for whom and what they are, and how they are treating their people.
So, the world does have to take action, and it should start now. Israel must defend its future, and the world need stand with them. We can create a better world for future generations, one of love and togetherness, not of hate and war. We must end the lies of Israel’s enemies, and that starts by telling the truth of this Hamas insurrection at the Israel border.
Howard Teich is a practicing New York City attorney, civic activist, and author of his recently published book, HEAR OUR VOICE ISRAEL: Standing Up for Judea, Samaria and Jerusalem.
