Posted 06/04/2010 ET
Updated 06/04/2010 ET
Israel has come under attack yet again from leaders around the world who are calling the actions taken earlier this week by Israel’s military "criminal" and "inhuman." When Israeli soldiers, enforcing a blockade put into place to stop arms and money from being smuggled into the Hamas-controlled Gaza strip, stopped six flotillas headed towards Gaza to inspect their cargo, passengers on the final ship put up strong resistance by immediately attacking the soldiers upon their descent from a helicopter.
The soldiers were attacked with knives, clubs, and other weapons. Video even shows the passengers throwing an Israeli soldier over the side of the ship.
Yet, that has not stopped the world from immediately rebuking Israel and demanding they make an apology for their actions, which were merely actions of self-defense.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed "regret" for those passengers who lost their lives in the struggle, but said the Israeli soldiers "had to defend themselves, defend their lives, or they would have been killed." Reviewing the video evidence, it would be tough to make a case otherwise.
When the ship was ultimately secured, the Jerusalem Post reported that Israeli Defense officials “identified about 50 passengers on the ship who could have terrorist connections with global jihad-affiliated groups. The military also discovered a cache of bulletproof vests and night-vision goggles, as well as gas masks.” They also report that the suspected terror suspects “refused to identify themselves and were not carrying passports. Many of them were carrying envelopes packed with thousands of dollars in cash.”
Yet, despite these facts, the Obama Administration has decided to remain on the sidelines and leave Israel to face the world alone, effectively abandoning our longtime friend and ally when they need us the most. By the United States taking such an ambiguous position on these recent events, our mutual enemies will be emboldened, rather than deterred from further acts of aggression.
Knowing full well that Islamic radical factions and Iran are aggressively pursuing nuclear weapons while at the same time stating that Israel must be “wiped off the map,” the United States would be foolish to remain indifferent in this instance. It would simply be a reckless foreign policy position to take, and we must demand more of our government whose role it is to keep our nation safe and secure.
The United States has been blessed by a rich and shared history with Israel, and our alliance has secured for both its citizens a very safe and prosperous future. With that said, we have an opportunity now to stand shoulder to shoulder with our friend, our ally, Israel, and show our unwavering support.
Or, we can continue on the current path seemingly favored by this administration, one in which we view Israel as just one of several players in the Middle East, not exceptional, and not deserving of our full and unbridled backing.
I sincerely hope we choose the former, for a strong and vibrant Israel means a strong and vibrant America.
Cartoon courtesy of Brett Noel
Updated 06/04/2010 ET
Israel has come under attack yet again from leaders around the world who are calling the actions taken earlier this week by Israel’s military "criminal" and "inhuman." When Israeli soldiers, enforcing a blockade put into place to stop arms and money from being smuggled into the Hamas-controlled Gaza strip, stopped six flotillas headed towards Gaza to inspect their cargo, passengers on the final ship put up strong resistance by immediately attacking the soldiers upon their descent from a helicopter.
The soldiers were attacked with knives, clubs, and other weapons. Video even shows the passengers throwing an Israeli soldier over the side of the ship.
Yet, that has not stopped the world from immediately rebuking Israel and demanding they make an apology for their actions, which were merely actions of self-defense.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed "regret" for those passengers who lost their lives in the struggle, but said the Israeli soldiers "had to defend themselves, defend their lives, or they would have been killed." Reviewing the video evidence, it would be tough to make a case otherwise.
When the ship was ultimately secured, the Jerusalem Post reported that Israeli Defense officials “identified about 50 passengers on the ship who could have terrorist connections with global jihad-affiliated groups. The military also discovered a cache of bulletproof vests and night-vision goggles, as well as gas masks.” They also report that the suspected terror suspects “refused to identify themselves and were not carrying passports. Many of them were carrying envelopes packed with thousands of dollars in cash.”
Yet, despite these facts, the Obama Administration has decided to remain on the sidelines and leave Israel to face the world alone, effectively abandoning our longtime friend and ally when they need us the most. By the United States taking such an ambiguous position on these recent events, our mutual enemies will be emboldened, rather than deterred from further acts of aggression.
Knowing full well that Islamic radical factions and Iran are aggressively pursuing nuclear weapons while at the same time stating that Israel must be “wiped off the map,” the United States would be foolish to remain indifferent in this instance. It would simply be a reckless foreign policy position to take, and we must demand more of our government whose role it is to keep our nation safe and secure.
The United States has been blessed by a rich and shared history with Israel, and our alliance has secured for both its citizens a very safe and prosperous future. With that said, we have an opportunity now to stand shoulder to shoulder with our friend, our ally, Israel, and show our unwavering support.
Or, we can continue on the current path seemingly favored by this administration, one in which we view Israel as just one of several players in the Middle East, not exceptional, and not deserving of our full and unbridled backing.
I sincerely hope we choose the former, for a strong and vibrant Israel means a strong and vibrant America.
Cartoon courtesy of Brett Noel
2 comments:
Michele Bachmann is an example of my call for Christian leaders to stand up!!--as stated below...
BTW-it does take a woman-doesn't it!?!!!
Christan pastors and other Christian leaders must start speaking the truth - teaching the true history of this Republic's Founding (first they have to learn it themselves!) at their church schools--
I could go on about Christian weakness but-I won't
C-CS
Midnight Rider,
You're correct we must stand with Israel, now more than ever. They've been fighting a war against the same enemy that we are now, long before we even got started.
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