Originally posted on July 3, 2006.

^.^

Late in June, Palestinian militants slipped across the border from Gaza into Israel via an underground tunnel. Once in Israel, the Palestinians attacked a nearby observation post, killing two IDF soldiers, and kidnapping a third, a young man named Gilad Shalit.

Until now, the Israeli response to terrorist attacks has been measured. Militants fire Kassam rockets into Israel on a daily basis, and quite frankly, these attacks have received barely a yawn, proportionally speaking...basically, while Israel will remove the threat if they can do so with minimal effort, the Kassam attacks are nothing to invade Gaza over...

The kidnapping of Gilad Shalit was different. To do this, Palestinians had to cross into Israel and take someone. So the Israelis respond in a big way, and tanks are soon seen advancing into the Gaza Strip, much to the displeasure of the Palestinians, who immediately start howling with indignation over the Israeli actions.

Please note! The Palestinians weren't complaining to the militants, demanding that they do what's best for the Palestinian cause and hand over their hostage. Instead, the Hamas-led Palestinian government has done nothing but stone-walled the situation, and complained when the IDF came into the Gaza Strip, and complained some more when the offices of the Palestinian prime minister were bombed.

The Palestinian response has been the tired and worn excuse that they have the right to defend themselves against the Israeli occupation...this despite the fact that the IDF left Gaza last year, and despite the fact that Gilad Shalit was in *ISRAEL* when he was kidnapped.

Even if I was to stipulate that the Palestinians have the right to "defend" themselves against the Israeli occupation, I would be at a loss to see how a militant attack that kills two IDF soldiers and captures another, an attack carried out on Israeli soil can be considered a form of defense.

I believe by now that I have made my point. Now, the Palestinians are demanding the release of 1000 prisoners from Israeli jails before they will give Israel information regarding Gilad Shalit. Not release these prisoners and we will release our hostage...release the prisoners and we may give you information on his condition...or something like that...

Israel is perfectly correct to reject that "offer" of information. Israel should in no way compromise with these terrorist criminals. Israel should issue a demand... Either Gilad Shalit is returned to Israel unharmed by the end of the day, or Israel should go into Gaza and level the place. Use high-energy explosives and destroy every building in the Gaza Strip. Of course, this will cause hundreds of thousands of refugees, but that's not Israel's problem.

Then turn to the West Bank. Once again, either Gilad Shalit is returned by tomorrow at sunset, or the IDF goes in.

See how quickly Gilad Shalit is returned.

---
John B.
Blog Guy

BACK