Operation Protective Edge

Operation Protective Edge

So, first off, the death of innocent civilians is wrong  and does not accomplish anything.  But, the loss of Palestinian life is often the fault of Hamas.

According to a CNN article from early Sunday morning, “Israeli forces dropped leaflets in northern Gaza on Sunday to warn residents to move away from Hamas sites to avoid military strikes.”  They even send txt messages and make personalized phone calls.  In fact, “the Israeli military said it also drops empty shells on roofs, an operation it calls "roof knocking," to alert civilians that airstrikes are imminent.”  This is important because it shows Israel’s attempts to reduce civilian casualties.  At the other side of the spectrum, you have this: “Video on Hamas-run television showed a Hamas spokesman urging people to serve as human shields.”  Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu describes the situation perfectly, in my opinion (and I’m not just saying this to spout the party line.  I actually do not like Netanyahu very much.  His Likud party is much too far to the right and has not been the best at attempting to make a peace.  The Hatnuah Party is where it’s at! Tzipi Livni is my favorite!) Anyway, Netanyahu said, “This is the entire difference between us and Hamas -- we are using defensive systems against missiles to protect the residents of Israel, and they are using the residents of Gaza to protect arsenals of missiles. Nothing better underscores the difference in this campaign. Israel is a democracy that is fighting -- in a legitimate and focused manner -- against unbridled terrorists.” 

So, my sister returned from Israel a couple of days ago and she had a lot of great comments.  Something that she said was that it is wrong when the press refers to the Israeli operations as offensive actions, when, in all reality, they are defensive efforts with the goal of stopping terroristic attacks by Hamas.   She also picked up on the fact that in Jersualem and Tel Aviv, when you hear warning sirens, you have about 90 seconds to get to a bomb shelter.  However, in southern parts of Israel, closer to the Gaza Strip, you have closer to three seconds.  Compare that to the warnings Israel gives and you can clearly see the difference.  

When it comes down to it, Israel has the right to defend itself.  Going off on a tangent here, but consider how the United States and its citizens would react if terrorists were in control of Montana and firing rockets at the rest of the United States.  For sure, we would react and civilian lives would be lost.  

I think that pretty much sums up my thoughts on this specific conflict.  

Edit 7/14: Submitted to ThoughtCatalog at www.thoughtcatalog.com