Hezbollah Attacks Unite Israelis

Many times in the past, the Israeli peace movement has criticized Israeli military operations. Not this time. This time, there is no Lebanese territory occupied by Israel. Last Wednesday, Hezbollah launched a vicious, unprovoked attack into Israeli territory. Hezbollah, by attacking Israel, has also hijacked the prerogative of the Lebanese government to control its territory and to make decisions on war and peace. This time, Israel is defending itself from daily harassment and bombardment of dozens of our towns and villages by attempting to smash Hezbollah wherever it lurks.

The Israeli peace movement should support Israel's attempt at self-defense, pure and simple, as long as this operation targets mostly Hezbollah and spares, as much as possible, the lives of Lebanese civilians (not an easy task, as Hezbollah missile launchers are too often using Lebanese civilians as human sandbags). There can be no moral equation between Hezbollah and Israel. Hizballah is targeting Israeli civilians wherever they are, while Israel is targeting mostly Hezbollah. Hezbollah's missiles are supplied by Iran and Syria, sworn enemies of all peace initiatives in the Middle East. A defeat of a militant Islamist terror organization may dramatically enhance the chances for peace in the region.