OPINION:
The first responsibility of any government is to protect its people (“Misfired rockets may have killed over a dozen in Gaza battle,” Web, Aug. 8). Israel has excellent intelligence regarding the activities of terrorists (not “militants”) in the Gaza Strip. Even Hamas refers to Palestinian Islamic Jihad as terrorists.
Palestinian Islamic Jihad has been preparing for attacks against Israeli civilians. Recently, Bassam al-Saadi, a senior PIJ leader, was arrested by the Israeli Defense Forces in Jenin. PIJ issued angry threats to avenge his capture, and the IDF took preemptive action, targeting its infrastructure.
Israel is surrounded by terrorists out to destroy it. The Palestinian Authority continues to pay allowances to the murderers who kill Jews and their families. The PA is the PLO, created in 1964 by the KGB to counter American influence in the region. Their charter calls for killing Israelis. The Oslo accords committed the PLO to removing this clause from their charter, but they have not. PIJ simply denies Israel’s right to exist. Hamas’ charter calls for killing every Jew in the world.
Israel is situated in a dangerous neighborhood. Hamas on its east and Hezbollah in Lebanon are funded by Qatar and Iran. Iran is committed to nuking Israel.
On the up side, the Abraham Accords have opened up cooperation with Arab states and will continue to advance trade and cooperation with other Muslim countries. The so-called “Palestinian” issue is on the back burner. At some point, the Arab League will convince the PA to join in the prosperity, make peace with Israel and set borders for the first-ever state of Palestine.
Radical Islamic terrorism will continue to play a destructive role in the Middle East, Europe and throughout the world. Is the West up to the challenge?
LEN BENNETT
Author, “Unfinished Work: Letters in Defense of Israel, the Jewish People and the Truth”
Deerfield Beach, Florida
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