The Hamas terrorist regime that runs Gaza has proven to fellow Palestinians and the world that it has a cowardly militia that — unprovoked — fires rockets at Israel and then, by hiding among its own people, uses Palestinian noncombatants as human shields. That is why there have been so many civilian casualties during Israel’s ongoing foray into Gaza.
It is clear that potential Palestinian statehood and stability in that region of the Middle East will not occur until Hamas stops firing rockets at Israel, is prevented from acquiring additional weapons and is eventually replaced by Fatah or other moderate Palestinians who are strong enough to stand up to terrorists and who recognize Israel’s right to exist.
At a meeting Wednesday with the Las Vegas Sun Editorial Board, Kenneth Jacobson, deputy national director of the Anti-Defamation League, said he believes Israel’s military response has successfully signaled to Hamas the consequences of launching rockets. But Jacobson cautioned that Israel’s immediate goals will not have been met until there is an end to the smuggling of weapons into Gaza through Egypt.
Jacobson said “this is a just war, a war that undoubtedly was going to happen sooner or later because of the dynamics in the region.”
When the Obama administration takes over Tuesday we expect it will continue the long-standing U.S. policy of affirming that Israel, the only true democracy in the Middle East, has a right to defend itself from attacks.
Also, Egypt should immediately agree to secure its border with Gaza, including destruction of all underground tunnels, to help put an end to the arms smuggling. The effect would be to further weaken Hamas. It would give the international community greater opportunity to provide the economic and security assistance necessary for Palestinians who want to free themselves from the cycle of violence caused by Hamas to gain control of Gaza.
If all of that can be accomplished, the prospects for lasting peace in that region will significantly increase.
Copyright 2009 Las Vegas Sun
