The current Israeli response to rocket fire seems to many in the world to be an “over-reaction.” They ignored the hundreds of rockets that rained down on Israel border towns, and ignore the continuous effort to make “improvements” in the rockets, so that they will be able to rain down on Tel Aviv and every inch of Israel. Make no mistake, that is the terrorists’ ultimate goal.
For quite some time, Israel has promised an overwhelming reponse if the PA doesn’t stop the rockets. The current response is not solely aimed at Hamas and other terrorists in Gaza. It’s aimed at the would-be rocketeers in the West Bank. Make no mistake, this is an object lesson in the Israeli version of Shock and Awe.
Exhibit A: “Our aim is to put an end to all threats of firing of qassam rockets into Israeli territory”
“The IDF began this operation two days ago and will continue it all the while that this intolerable situation of shooting persists, and until the Palestinian Authority takes full responsibility for activity within its area jurisdiction,” Announced the Head of the Operations Branch, Major General Yisrael Ziv to the media. “Our aim is to put an end to all threats of firing of qassam rockets into Israeli territory, and for this purpose we have, according to our right, begun to use which ever arms are necessary in order to achieve this. Our current aim is to fire into those areas we know to be the source of qassam fire. It is not our intention to hurt innocent civilians, but we are, within our rights, using heavy means in order to put an end to the threat hanging over Sderot and other areas.”
Major General Ziv also made reference to the current situation in the Gaza Strip following the disengagement from the area. “It is expected of the Palestinian Authority to take full responsibility without any room for excuses. They no longer have the ‘excuse’ of the occupation or other such stories to use as excuses for not taking responsibility.”
Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz said Tuesday that he is “not satisfied” with Hamas leader Mahmoud Zahar’s call for a halt to rocket attacks on Israel.
“Hamas committed an unforgivable act, and we have to dictate new rules for the game,” Mofaz told Army Radio. “We will not let this pass quietly. Hamas needs to know that Israel will act to protect its citizens.”
[…] Boim told Army Radio that the continuing IDF strikes were aimed at “searing into their conscience” that Israel was determined to create deterrence.
“If we have to, we’ll turn the screws even tighter,” Boim said.
Israel no longer occupies Gaza. The world can sputter and protest, but they have to acknowledge that Israel has the right to protect her citizens from rocket attacks. The world cannot use the “occupation” as justification for Israeli murders–until the rockets start coming from the West Bank.
This is Israel’s shot into the bow of the terrorists’ ships to make sure that does not happen.
The time has come to officially reveal to the world that Israel has nukes.
No. THe only time to officially reveal that Israel has nukes is after they are detonated. If Israel tries to use them as a threat, the UN will attempt to treat it as the US did Saddam Hussein. The inspectors will not pretend as they did in Iraq. Only while the pretense continues will Israel be safe from forcible disarming.
The current Israeli response to rocket fire seems to many in the world to be an “over-reaction.â€
This, too, is a standard pattern, and it’s being going on a long time. Raphael Israeli, in Jerusalem Divided, says this:
and he was talking about half a century ago, during the Armistice regime.
Even so, the media are currently taking a bit of a turn at impatience with Palestinian dishonesty and excuse-making. Enjoy it while it lasts, because it surely won’t last long.