FRUSTRATION CONCERN DESPAIR

     No, this is not about the situation here in the Village, though these terms can be applied to it. What it is referring to is the situation in the Middle East, war again, and frustration that once more the world is blind, ignoring the truth in front of its own eyes. Once more it appears that Israel is to be held to a standard that is not applied to any other country in the world.
     The best opinion piece I have read about the war is that of Charles Krauthammer who wrote a brilliant essay entitled "Moral Clarity in Gaza". It explains the situation as it is, states the truth of the matter and sheds no tears for the fake cries of massacre by the terrorists, Hamas.
     There is no other country in the world that sends text messages, phone messages, thousands of leaflets, TV statements, "knocks" on the roof before shooting. There is no other country in the world that sets up a HOSPITAL for the enemy wounded, including a maternity center. Israel is known for the quality of its field care and when there are tsunamis or earthquakes or any other natural disaster, Israel is there, usually the first to set up, whether it be in Haiti or in Moslem countries. It has even sent aid to the civilians in Syria, taken wounded into northern Israeli hospitals. It has begged the civilians in Gaza to move, go, not to listen to Hamas which wants to shield itself with them, use them as a human shield. Then the world cries shame on Israel when there is nothing left but to go in and do the job necessary to keep Israeli civilians throughout the country safe.
    Why are there no pictures of the horrible amount of physical damage to Israeli property? Why is there no coverage of the shells and rockets that have hit homes, schools, synagogues, and yes, people. Why is there no coverage of an entire country forced to live in shelters and then being cursed as murderers because they do not die? Israel takes care of its civilians.  Would more Israeli deaths make the world feel better? Hamas does not care for its civilians except as propaganda tools and shields.
     Why has Hamas used all the concrete that came in to Gaza to build mammoth tunnels rather than to build homes? Why have they spent billions on arms rather than on health, schooling, economy building projects? Why? Because they cannot tolerate the existence of the State of Israel, not as it is, not as it ever will be. Territory is NOT the issue; the issue is existential. Just look at its supporters in various countries who have held violent rallies, beating Jews, burning synagogues. It is anti Semitism at its worse, worse than anything since the time of the Nazis.
     Tunnels. Can it be that we have so easily and so soon forgotten the tunnels of Vietnam and how many of our soldiers we lost in them, to them? The tunnels here are even worse, stronger, more fortified, enormous underworld cities with multi shafts, multi exits and all with one goal in mind - to kill Israelis. If the present tunnels had not been found there would have been a horror such that we have never seen before. Many years ago terrorists entered a school in Ma' a lot, in northern Israel and killed so many kids. Here, these animals were planning a massive attack on three kibbutzim on Israeli soil, none of this fake excuse of occupation, an attack to kill, to maim and to kidnap, armed with guns, explosives, handcuffs and tranquilizers. Would the world have cried with us? I doubt it and even if so, they would have been crocodile tears and they would have offered no help, just the standard, "We understand Israel's right to defend itself but oh, be so careful with civilians."
     170,000 dead in Syria. Bombs in Iraq and Afghanistan that daily blow up tens and hundreds of people. The Janjaweed are on the ride again in Sudan killing thousands and maiming more, and the list goes on and on and on. Does the world do something? No, for it has more pressing concerns. What? The annoyance that Israel has the ability and determination to defend itself and Jews all over the world, be they French, Burmese, Ethiopian, American, British, Spanish, Hidden Jews from centuries past and the list goes on. But the world cries more about 400 Palestinians who are killed DIRECTLY due to the fact that Hamas builds IN their homes, UNDER their homes, STUFFS children into ambulances carrying armed terrorists, in mosques, and all their cowardly leaders are HIDING under Shifa Hospital. Why is this?
     Collateral damage can be heartbreaking, but Israel is the only country in the world - and that includes the USA - who does so much to minimize it. The only way to cut it more is for Israel to stand there and say, "Yes, world, we will once again allow you to kill us. We will be martyrs once more. One and a half million children were not enough for you, so here is more. Six million needs to be drenched with more blood, so here is ours." But this will never happen. Let Israel do what it must and there will be fewer deaths and injury all around. And remember, Israel accepted three ceasefires - Hamas did not, or violated them almost immediately. Such is the enemy.