It has now been one month and one day since Israel was invaded by Hamas terrorists who butchered, raped, and mutilated Israeli men, women, children, and elderly people. There was no warning and there was no mercy. Some were fortunate enough to escape the slaughter while some 240 people, including children, were kidnapped and taken across the border into Gaza.
The Israeli response was predictable. Israel’s leaders and military are determined to crush and eliminate Hamas once and for all. Some 170,000 regular members of the Israel Defense Forces and 350,000 reserve troops have been mobilized and, after barrages of air and artillery fire, members of the Israel Defense Forces are on the ground in Gaza.
There is a trend among many nations of the world to try to reign in Israel. That trend is the almost immediate call for Israel to permit a ceasefire. Israel has ignored the calls and is likely to continue to do so. As several have pointed out, there “was a ceasefire in place … all the way through October 6.” It was Hamas who violated it, not Israel.
On September 7, 1941, elements of the Japanese Empire launched a sneak attack on the United States military forces based in Hawaii. The attack came on a Sunday morning at around 8:00 a.m. and over 2,400 Americans were killed at Pearl Harbor. Imagine if the nations of the world had called for a cease fire less than one month later.
An even greater atrocity was committed by Islamic terrorists on September 11, 2001, as people went about their normal lives unaware that four passenger airplanes were hijacked and in the air. On that day the nation and the world would see the Twin Towers destroyed, the Pentagon attacked, and a flight intended for either the U.S. Capitol Building or the White House thwarted by brave but doomed passengers. On that day, 2,977 people were murdered by the terrorists. Imagine if world opinion called for the United States to observe a ceasefire less than a month later.
The United States would have rejected the ideas of ceasefires in these two barbaric attacks as ludicrous. Yet even the allies of Israel — even the United States — are suggesting that Israel unilaterally impose a ceasefire.
Hamas is not the victim here. The 1,400 people who were tortured and murdered, the 5,900 who were wounded, and the 240 civilians taken hostage are the victims. As are their families.
Unlike the United States who killed both military personnel and civilians in the bombings of Dresden, Germany, Nagasaki, and Hiroshima, (to name a few) the Israelis dropped over a million flyers warning the civilians in Gaza to flee to the south.
Japan, Germany, and their allies started World War II and the U.S., and her allies were going to finish it by any means possible. Which is what Israel has said it will do in their war on Hamas. Hamas, Hezbollah, and other radical groups who continue to state as their goal the elimination of Israel and the murder of Jews.
Sgt. Elisha Rose Ids Lubin grew up in the Atlanta suburb of Dunwoody before moving to Israel in 2001. The Georgia woman serving as a Border Police officer was stabbed to death several days ago while on Patrol in Jerusalem’s Old City, according to msn.com. The 16-year-old Palestinian assailant who lived in east Jerusalem was fatally shot by border officers. One other officer was injured in the attack. Elisha Rose Ids Lubin was 20 years old. Her story is only one of the thousands who were murdered, wounded, or kidnapped in Israel since October 6.
[David Epps is the Rector of the Cathedral of Christ the King (www.ctk.life). Worship services are on Sundays at 10:00 a.m. and on livestream at www.ctk.life. He is the bishop of the Diocese of the Mid-South (www.midsouthdiocese.life). He may be contacted at davidepps@ctk.life.]
One of the reasons that people are using their anti-Israeli stance is that they claim that the Israelites are the colonizers and that the Palestinians were the original settlers. Historically, the opposite is actually true. You can bet that the same people that are against Israel, are also against America and what we stand for. Demonstrations in Islamic countries would not even be allowed! My first question to them would be “If America is so bad, why are you here”?
For those of you who have examined the state of affairs in those Islamic countries wife beaters are within the law, women are in total subjugation or they suffer the consequences, no freedom of speech exists, and disagreeing with any of the government policies will result in jail or death. I went to visit a relative in a totalitarian government. I felt totally constrained in speaking my mind for the first time in my life. Couldn’t wait to get out of there!
I am a first-generation Spanish American. I thank God frequently for allowing me to be born in the greatest country in the world. The key to success here, no matter the ethnicity, is the willingness to work. I feel that if you don’t like America, no one is stopping you from getting out. Love America and all its opportunities or get out!! I have traveled all over the world. There is no other country like the U.S. of A.
God bless America!
Easy for those who have not lost family.friends,homes and communities in Israel to ask for a ceasefire. Let Israel decide how to deal with the groups who want to eliminate Israel and kill Jews.
“Every civilization finds it necessary to negotiate compromises with its own values.” Said by Golda Meir.
The only way to have a ceasefire is for Gaza to surrender, turn over Hamas terrorists, and release hostages.
That is how this war will end. Otherwise, it will continue until Hamas, the elected government of Gaza, has fallen.
Mr. Bernard, you are exactly right. Israel will not, and should not, back off until this terrorist organization is annihilated. If the Gazans want a cease fire, they should round up the Hamas fighters and turn them over without delay.
It is foolish to abet beating a hornet’s nest with a stick and then complain that you are being stung.