Amalek Again

T’was the eve of the Pesach and all near the fence

Was so fully crowded, we were all in suspense.

It is reported that between 20,000-30,000 Palestinians are spending a six week protest near the Gaza border fence with Israel. It is called by Hamas the “March of Return”, not to be only the old slogan but an actual march to reclaim lost homes and properties in towns and cities in Israel where Palestinian Arabs once lived before they fled the country in 1948.

The immediate danger is that the proclaimed “peaceful” march can break out into massive riots in which tens of thousands can be killed or seriously wounded. Today’s march is a “protest” against Land Day when some years ago a few Arabs were killed by our soldiers by attempting to return to their former lands.

In another month or so, leading into May, there will be more and larger protests on Nakba Day, the date upon which Israeli independence was proclaimed. Added to all that, there will be violent protests on May 14, the opening day of the American Embassy in Jerusalem, capital of the Jewish State of Israel.

Sadly, the new leader of Meretz has herself joined a protest…a smaller Jewish protest against Israel’s military using live ammunition to quell the Palestinian protesters and rioters. She insists that the Palestinians have the right to protest and that we Israelis are obligated to recognize that right.

Amalek is attacking us once again and is promising to hold on to the roads and paths leading to the Promised Land.  Reminiscent of their Amalekite ancestors who attacked us, the young and the old, as we trekked our way to God’s promised land covenant together with Moses and Joshua.

Zchor et Amalek ! We are commanded to eternally remember what Amalek did to us and how they planned to slaughter us. Their Palestinian offspring are no different !

Happily, our Defense Minister, Avigdor Lieberman, sensibly gave permission to our military to use live ammunition and force to kill, together with the usual riot-controlled rubber bullets and tear gas.

I simply have no concern and no compassion for any number of Palestinians who are killed or seriously wounded. It is a protest “march”, allowing the many thousands to live for the next six weeks in protest tents facing our border to remind us that their threats are still there. That they can strike us at their will.

I pray only for the welfare and safety of our brave young soldiers whose lives are in danger.

If the Palestinians want a March of Return, let them return to the cemeteries and the burial places of their ancestors who had the courage to remain in the land of Israel and not fleeing like drowning rats.

We have defeated Amalek in the past. We defeated the Amalekite Haman the Agagite.  And with God’s help and blessings we will destroy the sons of Amalek once again.

Tonight when we ask “Ma nishtanah”… why is this night different from all other nights, the response should be “on all other nights we defended ourselves while trying to keep the number of casualties low; on this night we are officially permitted to use live fire, to shoot to kill anyone attempting to damage the border fence and to infiltrate into the Jewish State of Israel.”

Amalek was once defeated and destroyed. Their Palestinian ancestors must meet the very same fate.

Chag haPesach samayach v’shalom al Yisrael.