Restraint versus Reaction

We, the citizens of the Jewish State of Israel, are at war. Once again, a war against Hamas in Gaza. It has been several years since we withdrew our troops from occupying Gaza and since then Hamas has continued to perpetrate deadly attacks, mainly upon our civilian population in the south in the vicinity close to the border with Gaza.

Although our Defense Ministry has given the green light to forcible action against Hamas, it appears that our military commanders prefer to use restraint rather than major reaction.

Like it or not, accept it or reject it, there is one factor more than any others which our military considers.

There is only one way to rid Gaza of Hamas and that is by full military invasion of Gaza, routing Hamas, assassinating its leaders, restoring order to the civilian population and remaining in Gaza for a very long time…. something that the army does not prefer to do. And so, they practice restraint. The big weapons, planes and tanks are not brought out.

Ceasefires have proven only to be temporary, until the enemy regains its strength and begins once again on their intended mission to destroy us.

It would be wise if our aircraft could drop thousands of leaflets in Arabic urging the Gazan population to rise up and defeat Hamas but the Gazans would only pick up the leaflets and tear them, just as our Joint Arab bloc in the Knesset tore up the copies of the new Nation-State law.

Israel does not want Gaza. Egypt does not want Gaza. The Palestinian Authority is afraid to want Gaza. In short, Gaza remains an island of despair. No one wants Gaza! Only Hamas terrorists do.

Since Samson broke the gates of Gaza and bore them on his shoulders, Gaza has been anathema to Jews.

To date, restraint on the part of our military, restraint on the use of extremely forceful weapons, have been futile. A few major buildings, cultural centers, Hamas quarters have been demolished. Bricks and mortar can rebuild new structures.

But striking Gaza to its very bones, bringing instant death to the enemies of Israel, will send a permanent message. Israel will not accept missiles and fire bombs from Gaza. We will retaliate in full force for the security and safety of all our citizens.

While the Knesset, the courts and the media are busy entangling themselves from the national mess created by the Nation-State law, priority should be and must be given to the once-and-for-all problem of Hamas in Gaza.

The time is now to cease from restraining and to turn to mightier reactions. Why must citizens in Sderot, among other settlements, have to sleep in bomb shelters at night? Why must a mother of seven children have to decide which children to take as they race for shelter? While some of the children will be saved, why must the others die?

Let the situation be reversed. Bomb the Gaza Strip at night, depriving the population of sleep and forcing them to flee seeking safety from the bombs. Let them taste the bitterness of this war. It is the deserving price they must be forced to pay for having voted and supported Hamas these many years.

No more restraint. React with full force. Level the cities of Gaza to the ground where they will exist only in memories.

The people of Israel demand stronger action in eliminating Hamas. The government has an obligation to listen to the voices of the people and to respond accordingly.

No more restraint. Our hands cannot be tied. When God gave us this land He commanded us to kill all the enemy mini-states surrounding us.

It is time to hear and to obey God’s command. No restraint. No mercy. Only security for all Israel.