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Preparing U.S. Jews for Assault on Gaza

[New York Jewish Week] Eric H. Yoffie - Israel's response to the rocket fire directed at its cities has been far more restrained than what would be expected from any other civilized, democratic government. Since 2001, more than 7,000 rockets have been fired from Gaza at civilian targets in Israel. A "proportionate" response would involve 7,000 Israeli rockets fired at civilians in Gaza. Is the "occupation" responsible for the rocket fire? Prime Minister Sharon pulled out of every inch of Gaza in 2005, yet there has not been a single day of quiet following that withdrawal. Indeed, rocket strikes significantly increased after it was completed. The simple fact is that if terror and rocket fire were to come to an end in Gaza, Palestinian suffering there would end as well. Virtually all of Israel's political leaders are reluctant to escalate the military conflict with Hamas, but most of those to whom I spoke indicated that there would soon be no alternative to an Israeli move against Hamas forces in Gaza. Israel will almost surely decide that it can no longer protect Palestinian civilians at the cost of sacrificing the well being of its own. Confronted by challenges to its sovereignty, by expanding attacks on its civilian population, and by the unrelenting hatred of an anti-Semitic, religiously fanatic regime, it is moving toward the military action in Gaza that it had desperately hoped to avoid. This is not a welcome scenario. It would be preferable by far if international diplomacy could arrange a cease-fire that would end the rocket fire without allowing Hamas to build up its forces for future attacks. But chances for such a diplomatic resolution are small, and Israel must prepare for the worst. An Israeli attack on Gaza is certain to unleash a barrage of international criticism. American support will be essential if Israel's military is to have the time it needs to complete its mission. Our task now is to support Israel in its time of need, to make its case to our fellow citizens, and to do all that we can to rally the Jewish people and good people everywhere to its side. Rabbi Yoffie is president of the Union for Reform Judaism.
2008-03-20 01:00:00
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