In hopes of peace, Israel unilaterally withdrew from Gaza in 2005. Since Israel’s withdrawal, Hamashas fired more than 6,300 rockets and mortar shells from Gaza into civilian towns and cities in southern Israel. According to the Jewish Community Relations Council, rockets can reach an area that is greater in size than the entire metropolitan St. Louis region.
Although no country should tolerate such attacks, Israel has restrained from defense for months in order to reach a truce. Hamas, which is a U.S. Department of State-confirmed foreign terrorist organization that calls for the annihilation of Israel in its charter, refused to extend the six-month cease-fire with Israel. Israel’s actions represent self-defense and its responsibility to protect its citizens.
While I support Israel, I do not like war. However, Israel had limited options as Hamas refused to extend the truce. I do not support war crimes such as targeting innocent civilians and am confident that the Israeli Defense Forces are strictly targeting Hamas.
While there have been deaths of innocent Palestinian and Israeli civilians, it is a horrible consequence of preventable war. I understand the concern for innocent Palestinian civilians, and Israel is actively assisting in delivery of humanitarian aid through the Karni and Keren crossings such as medicine, medical supplies, doctors, nurses, blood and food to Gaza.
How would the United States react to a missile attack on its citizens coming from Canada or Mexico? Would they sit idle like Israel did for months and try to negotiate peace?
Israel is not the aggressor in this war. Israel is defending its citizens. Israel seeks peace.
Important Facts to Know
The IDF targets terrorist outposts and always attempts to limit civilian casualties.
The definition of terrorism is the deliberate targeting of civilians, which Hamas does daily to Israel.
The destruction of Israel, the replacement of the Palestinian Authority with an Islamic state on the West Bank and Gaza, and raising “the banner of Allah over every inch of Palestine,” are part of Hamas’ founding charter.
Hamas is arbitrarily firing rockets into Israeli civilian areas including nursery schools, hospitals and shopping malls.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas blamed Hamas for triggering Israel’s deadly raids on Gaza by not extending a six-month truce with Israel.
Israel left Gaza for peace in August of 2005 and has been attacked from Gaza with thousands of rockets ever since.
Israelis only have 15 seconds to run into bomb shelters once a rocket is fired by Hamas.
Hamas openly admits to firing rockets from civilian areas and using Palestinian civilians as human shields.
Israel, as any viable democracy, must defend its citizens.
Israel wants peace!
Sarah Markenson is a senior in the School of Public Service. She is a StandWithUs Emerson Fellow to advocate for Israel.
