Israel has faced an unceasing threat from
rockets emanating out
of Gaza ever since they pulled out of the territory back in 2005.
And instead
of using Israel's disengagement to build trust and work towards
peace, Hamas
has turned Gaza into a forward base to relentlessly attack Israel
with its
increasingly deadly rocket arsenal.
So finally, after months of incredible
restraint, Israel
launched “Operation Pillar of Defense” on Wednesday, and in a
targeted
assassination eliminated Hamas military chief Ahmed Jabari (who
was responsible
for many attacks, including the abduction of Gilad Shalit). The latest barrage of rocket
attacks left
Israel with no choice but to respond and to do what every
government is charged
with, namely, protecting her citizens from harm.
Predictably, Israel is not only having to
defend itself from
the rocket barrages aimed at her civilian population, but also
from the ongoing
PR attacks attempting to delegitimize Israel in the public arena
and to erode
US support.
Therefore
it is very
important that we mobilize as a community and not remain silent.
There
are several
concrete steps we can all take to support Israel during this
trying time which
I urge you to consider:
1) Stand up publicly and state you support for
Israel's
defensive efforts in light of sustained rocket attacks that are
terrorizing
1/7th of the Israeli population.
2) Contact your Senators and Congressmen. Senators can be reached by
phone through the
Capitol switchboard at : (202) 224-3121.
You can also use the following link: http://www.capwiz.com/aipac/issues/alert/?alertid=62157761
3) Write Op Ed letters to newspapers
4) Actively support Israel on social media like
Facebook and
Twitter. (On Twitter use
the hash tag
#israelunderfire )
Here are some main messages to help you be a
more effective
Israel advocate:
• The goal of Israel’s operation is clearly
defined and is
aimed at removing a strategic threat to Israeli citizens. Israel
is not
interested in a deterioration of the situation.
• Israel has demonstrated great restrain for a
long period
but cannot stand for the recurring attacks on its citizens. No
other state
would accept a similar reality.
• Israel is acting in self-defense and out of
its duty to
protect its civilians from terrorist attacks.
• Hamas rules the Gaza Strip and is responsible
for all that
occurs in Gaza and all that is launched from there.
• It must be noted again that Israel disengaged
completely
from the Gaza Strip in 2005. The result of Israel’s disengagement
is that Gaza
has become a giant ammunition dump. In addition, it provides a
breeding ground
for terrorist groups to organize and to operate, including groups
associated
with al-Qaeda and Global Jihad. All this under the rule,
responsibility and
sponsorship of Hamas.
• Weapons smuggled from Libya, Iran and Sudan
accelerated
the process of Gaza turning into a terror base. These weapons also
increased
the danger posed to the Israeli population.
• Hamas and the other terrorist organizations
hide among the
civilian population of Gaza. They also deliberately direct their
fire at the
civilian population of Israel. These acts constitute a double war
crime.
• The targets of the Israeli operation are all
military.
Israel will make every effort to prevent harm to the civilian
population of
Gaza, and regrets any injury to civilians.
• The border crossings from Israel to the Gaza
Strip remain
open, allowing for the routine passage of goods and humanitarian
aid.
• The international community must act to stop
the attacks
on Israel from the Gaza Strip and should not wait for an Israeli
reaction to
act. Time and again, Israel has warned that it would not tolerate
these
attacks.
Together let us all make our voices heard in
support of
Israel at this difficult time.
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Mark Zimmerman
