The World Hates the Jews.

I'm trying to rationalize this out, and that is the only conclusion I can arrive at. A psychologist would have a field day with this. Why else would the world rail against Israel for fighting back to protect its citizens? Why else would the world accuse Israel of using "disproportionate force?" Why else would the world cry out that Israel is ' indiscriminately killing civilians?' Why else are there 'demonstrations' against Israel's offensive in Gaza?

I'll tell you what is disproportionate response. What is disproportionate is the world's reaction to tiny Israel making a belated attempt to defend itself and prevent further murder of its own civilian population.

The world's response (with the exception of the United States') is generally negative towards anything Israel does to defend itself. It's outrageous. Where was this world when Hamas was lobbing rockets into Sderot? When Hizbollah was firing Katyushas into northern Israel? Where was the world in their public outrage during the two intifadas? I'll tell you where: there was none. But when Israel mobilizes and finally does something, everyone seems to wake up. It must be because they love us so much.

What is amazing now is that the European Union (except for France. What else is new) seems to be tacitly supporting Israel's initiative. I almost fell off my chair when I read that bit of news.

Where was the world's outrage and condemnation at Hamas' setting up rocket launching pads and weapons storage in civilian homes and hospitals. The truth is, they--Hamas--are solely responsible for the state of their citizens and are deliberately endangering them by their actions.

To the world at large, "disproportionate response" refers to Israel merely defending itself and attempting to prevent another Jewish bloodbath--plain and simple. Do not delude yourselves: Israel hatred is Jew hatred - they are one and the same. Certainly it is, in the Arabs' eyes--they are now threatening to target Jews all over the world. It seems that the only Jew the world can tolerate, is the Ghetto Jew. A strong Jew who fights back makes them nervous. . .

This JWR article explains the situation very well. Read it, and show it to everyone (hat tip, my son: Nathaniel Blumenstien). Here is an excerpt:

The numbers reported [my note: of Palestinians killed ] indicate that there was no clear intent to inflict disproportionate collateral civilian casualties. What is critical from the standpoint of international law is that if the attempt has been made "to minimize civilian damage, then even a strike that causes large amounts of damage - but is directed at a target with very large military value - would be lawful."

What is disproportionate and horrendous is the Hamas terrorist organization specifically targeting civilians in Israel and Islamic Terrorists targeting Jews and Israelis (and Americans as well) around the world, such as last month in Mumbai. They were committing war crimes and no one in the international community was doing a thing to stop them.

Here's a contrast for you: four leading Rabbis issued a halakhic ruling that it is permissible in Torah law toretaliate against rocket launching sites in civilian areas:

The ruling states as follows: “When a population living near a Jewish town sends bombs at the Jewish town with the purpose of killing and destroying Jewish existence there, it is permitted, according to Jewish Law, to fire shells and bombs at the firing sites, even if they are populated by civilians.

Tell me, when was the last time another country or religion even discussed the moral implications of defending oneself against attack? When was the last time a country warned the civilians who were living among the launching pads and weapons caches and terrorists? Did they do that in the bombing of Dresden in World War II?? The United States made a decision in World War II, and bombed Hiroshima and Nagasaki. How many civilians were killed then? What's worse, is that they were targeted. How about that for a "disproportionate response?"

Israel is not doing that. All she wants is to live in peace. It's the Arabs who want war. They don't blink an eye when Hamas terrorist leaders disguise themselves as doctors and hide in hospitals. Or build launching pads in civilians' basements. Or fire missiles into kindergartens.

The Jews, on the other hand, always search their souls about the treatment of others. That is what makes Judaism one of the most moral religions existing today among the religions of the world.

On the other hand, sometimes I fear we think too much of others and not enough about saving ourselves. This problem Israel is facing is an existential problem, and we need to ensure our survival as a people and as a Jewish State.

Since I wrote the above, the IDF ground war began motzai Shabbat (Saturday night). My youngest daughter is being mobilized. Please pray for her and all the soldiers fighting for the survival of the tiny nation of Israel, the only homeland for the Jewish People.

Prayer for the soldiers of the Israel Defense Force (Hebrew, then English below):

Prayer for Members of the Israel Defense Force

He Who blessed our forefathers Abraham, Isaac and Jacob - may He bless the fighters of the Israel Defense Force, who stand guard over our land and the cities of our God from the border of the Lebanon to the desert of Egypt, and from the Great Sea unto the approach of the Aravah, on the land, in the air, and on the sea.

May Hashem cause the enemies who rise up against us to be struck down before them. May the Holy One, Blessed is He, preserve and rescue our fighting men from every trouble and distress and from every plague and illness, and may He send blessing and success in their every endeavor.

May He lead our enemies under their sway and may He grant them salvation and crown them with victory. And may there be fulfilled for them the verse: For it is Hashem, your God, Who goes with you to battle your enemies for you to save you.

Now let us respond: Amen.