Throughout history, every nation has reserved and executed the right to defend itself against lethal attack. It seems like an elementary concept, common sense even; however, with the recent events in Israel and Gaza, and the lack of attention to actual facts and issues, we believe it requires reinforcement.
Israel’s actions beginning Dec. 27, 2008 are the result of over 8,000 rocket attacks barraging southern Israel since 2001. Israel has exhibited enormous restraint ““ taking in rocket after rocket, delivering appeal after appeal ““ but unfortunately, to no avail. In August 2005, Israel unilaterally withdrew from Gaza, relocating over 8,500 people in efforts to demonstrate its ability to uproot settlements for peace, if needed, but Hamas continued to proclaim its chartered commitment to destroy Israel.
It should be mentioned that Hamas is recognized by groups such as the United Nations as a terrorist organization, unlike the way its supporters describe it. Its charter is founded on principles of jihad, or holy war, and its military leaders specifically target innocent civilians.
Nizzar Rayyan, a recently killed Hamas leader, said in an interview with the Atlantic two years ago, “Israel is an impossibility. It is an offense against God.” Hamas uses Palestinian men, women and children as human shields during times of war, and launches rockets out of schoolyards, hospitals and other densely populated areas. This is not news to anyone who has been following the Arab news media, but may be appalling to those who follow many Western media fronts, which too often choose to omit it.
On Dec. 25, 2008, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert begged Hamas leaders to end their assault on Israel in order to prevent military retaliation. Inconsiderate of the innocents among them, Hamas leaders ignored Olmert’s appeal, daring Israel to respond. Hamas ignored Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, as well: “We talked to (Hamas) and we told them, “˜Please, we ask you, do not end the truce. Let the truce continue and not stop,’ so that we could have avoided what happened.” Two days later, Israel launched Operation Cast Lead in a desperate attempt to stop Hamas shelling, which had reached as many as 60 rockets a day.
Again, response to provocation is not a new concept: In Bosnia, it was only when the world responded with military action that former Serbian President Slobodan Milosevic’s destructive regime was defeated. In World War II, Japan’s attack on American soil resulted in full U.S. mobilization to protect its citizens.
The loss of innocent lives is regrettable and tragic, and Israel is committed to a complete cease-fire as long as all rocket-fire and mortar-shelling is successfully and absolutely terminated by Hamas. Smuggling of weaponry and illegal kidnapping of soldiers must also end. Israel has the right to defend its citizens, and Hamas must consider the same logic to prevent death rather than beckon it.
Last July, during his visit to Israel, President-elect Barack Obama said, “If somebody was sending rockets into my house, where my two daughters sleep at night, I’m going to do everything in my power to stop that.” Israel is, too. Just this Thursday, the House echoed Obama’s observation in voting 390 to 5 to reaffirm “Israel’s right to defend itself against attacks from Gaza.” We join President-elect Obama, the U.S. Congress, and people of conscience everywhere in supporting Israel’s fight against the enemies of coexistence.
Eshaghian is the president of Bruins for Israel and a fourth-year psychology student. Pourshalimi is the internal vice president of Bruins for Israel and a fourth-year political science student.