Israel Is The Aggressor?

Because I focus so much of this blog's attention on what is going on in America, I seldom write about the affairs of other countries. We have enough of our own affairs to write about, much less following what is happening around the world. That said, the conflict in the Middle East does seem to be escalating and as is usually the case, Israel is getting the blame for being the aggressor. The hypocrisy that lies in that region never ceases to amaze me.

Here's the situation and the issue at hand. After several days of heavy rocket fire from Gaza, Israel finally decided they had had enough. On November 14, the Israeli Defense Force instigated a series of air strikes into Gaza, trying to stop the rocket fire. In my book, that's called self-defense. If you have issues with that stance, stop and think what the reaction would be from our government, should Canada or Mexico suddenly decide to fire rockets into our territory. Yes, I understand that is an extreme example and that the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians has a life of its own, but you should get the picture. The United States would defend itself, as would any other country in the same situation. For some reason, much of the world is reluctant to give Israel the same freedom of self-defense.

I also understand that Israel has a problem with civilian casualties, but that has a lot to do with where Hamas places its rocket launchers. It is plain to see, they care little for their own people. Otherwise, they wouldn't place them in the middle of civilian areas. But somehow, that's Israel's fault? That just doesn't work for me.

So, now we have the leaders of the world calling for an end to the violence. They are doing what world leaders do best, pontificating. Some of them are more obvious than others. For example, let's look at the rhetoric being used by Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi. Hat tip to Bunkerville and Weasel Zippers.

Make no mistake, Israel will defend itself. They have proven that over and over again. They will do whatever is necessary to ensure their survival and Hamas, Mohammed Morsi, and the rest of Israel's enemies should understand that. If they cared about the security and stability of the region, they would take it into account, but they have different priorities. Namely, the destruction of Israel.

I'm not saying Israel is perfect. They have made mistakes in the past and their responses to perceived threats against their nation are sometimes heavy-handed. They have been known to overreact, but looking at their history, can you blame them? Even before Hitler, they were persecuted. They didn't even have their own state until 1948 and ever since, they have fought for their very existence. It defies logic that so much of the world would take that right away.

In my book, that's called self-defense. If you have issues with that stance, stop and think what the reaction would be from our government, should Canada or Mexico suddenly decide to fire rockets into our territory.

After we gave them southern California or returned the Gadsen Purchase...

Israel gave territory back for 'peace', and now that territory is being used to attack Israel.

Of course Israel is going to defend itself.

If Hamas puts rocket launchers in schoolyards, the kids shouldn't be surprised if recess sucks. But we have seen before where children have only propaganda value to the Islamists, and their regard for little girls is nothing compared to the sentiments of the West (and I won't mention how they regard little boys). They use that difference as a propaganda tool against Israel and the rest of us.

Well, the neighborhood bully, he’s just one man
His enemies say he’s on their land
They got him outnumbered about a million to one
He got no place to escape to, no place to run
He’s the neighborhood bully

The neighborhood bully just lives to survive
He’s criticized and condemned for being alive
He’s not supposed to fight back, he’s supposed to have thick skin
He’s supposed to lay down and die when his door is kicked in
He’s the neighborhood bully

The neighborhood bully been driven out of every land
He’s wandered the earth an exiled man
Seen his family scattered, his people hounded and torn
He’s always on trial for just being born
He’s the neighborhood bully

Well, he knocked out a lynch mob, he was criticized
Old women condemned him, said he should apologize.
Then he destroyed a bomb factory, nobody was glad
The bombs were meant for him. He was supposed to feel bad
He’s the neighborhood bully

Well, the chances are against it and the odds are slim
That he’ll live by the rules that the world makes for him
’Cause there’s a noose at his neck and a gun at his back
And a license to kill him is given out to every maniac
He’s the neighborhood bully

He got no allies to really speak of
What he gets he must pay for, he don’t get it out of love
He buys obsolete weapons and he won’t be denied
But no one sends flesh and blood to fight by his side
He’s the neighborhood bully

Well, he’s surrounded by pacifists who all want peace
They pray for it nightly that the bloodshed must cease
Now, they wouldn’t hurt a fly. To hurt one they would weep
They lay and they wait for this bully to fall asleep
He’s the neighborhood bully

Every empire that’s enslaved him is gone
Egypt and Rome, even the great Babylon
He’s made a garden of paradise in the desert sand
In bed with nobody, under no one’s command
He’s the neighborhood bully

Now his holiest books have been trampled upon
No contract he signed was worth what it was written on
He took the crumbs of the world and he turned it into wealth
Took sickness and disease and he turned it into health
He’s the neighborhood bully

What’s anybody indebted to him for?
Nothin’, they say. He just likes to cause war
Pride and prejudice and superstition indeed
They wait for this bully like a dog waits to feed
He’s the neighborhood bully

What has he done to wear so many scars?
Does he change the course of rivers? Does he pollute the moon and stars?
Neighborhood bully, standing on the hill
Running out the clock, time standing still
Neighborhood bully

Bob Dylan

Well said.

There was a programme on TV this morning (England) where they had a Palestinian and a Zionist. Both had family in the region. The Palestinian said 90% of the violence on both sides is orchestrated by politicians on both sides - Hamas and Likud, the world’s biggest clubs of retread trolls, stuck in an endless pissing contest.

And the Zionist nodded.

They both disagreed over Who Started It and Who’s Got The Moral High Ground, but they did both agree that normal Palestinians want the same thing as normal Israelis. A safe, viable two state solution so kids in both states can go to school and live their lives without being shelled or shot at.

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