Glick: The Real Reason for the War in Gaza

As always, Middle East expert and internationally-renown journalist Caroline Glick hits the nail on the head:

ONE OF the troubling aspects shared by both the IDF campaign and the diplomatic offensive is that both ignore the principal cause of the war. As a consequence, Israel has ruled out the possibility of actually winning a true victory in its current fight with Hamas. Here, too, our leaders ignore the true cause of the war because they know that they will pay no price for doing so.

Israel is not fighting Hamas today because it agreed to a six-month cease-fire with the terrorist regime in Gaza last June. And it is not fighting today because Hamas decided that it wants control over Gaza's international borders.

Israel is fighting a war with Hamas today because Israel withdrew from Gaza three and a half years ago. If Israel had not withdrawn its military forces from Gaza and forcibly expelled 8,000 Israeli citizens from their homes and farms in September 2005, it would not be fighting this war today. If Israel had not withdrawn, if it had retained its forces in Gaza and retained its communities - on whose ruins the IDF now fights - in Gaza, Hamas would probably never have taken over. And even if Hamas had taken over, it would never have been able to threaten a million Israelis with missiles and rockets and mortars.

Read the whole thing here.

Wall St. Journal: Jews Face Double-Standard

There are a great many people in the world who, even after Auschwitz, just can't bear the Jewish state having the same rights they so readily grant to other nations. These voices insist Israel must take risks they would never dare ask of any other nation-state -- risks that threaten its very survival -- because they don't believe Israel should exist in the first place.

Just look at the spate of attacks this week on Jews and Jewish institutions around the world: a car ramming into a synagogue in France; a Chabad menorah and Jewish-owned shops sprayed with swastikas in Belgium; a banner at an Australian rally demanding "clean the earth from dirty Zionists!"; demonstrators in the Netherlands chanting "Gas the Jews"; and in Florida, protestors demanding Jews "Go back to the ovens!"

Read the whole thing here at the Wall Street Journal.

Why is the world unwilling to afford Israel the same right to self-defense as it affords all other nations?

Hamas Whines About 'Women and Children'

War is hell. By its very definition it is relentless, merciless, and brutal. This is why those whose actions start wars are among the lowest forms of life on the planet.

Hamas certainly falls within that category.

As usual, when Muslim terrorists start wars by unleashing acts of barbarism against innocent civilians, as they have always done in Israel, and as they occasionally do in other areas, they immediately begin to whine about their women and children who are killed when civilized nations defend themselves against their actions.

These are the very people who will not hesitate to use women and children as suicide bombers in acts of terror.

Therefore, they are due absolutely no sympathy but our harshest condemnation.

If Hamas, Hezbollah, and other Islamic terrorists are so concerned about their women and children who inadvertently get caught in the crossfires when nations such as Israel take reasonable action to protect their citizens, then these terrorist groups would immediately stop firing rockets into Israel that kill their innocent women and children.

If you break into my house, fire shots at me and my loved ones, and get killed when I open fire on you for doing so, then I'm sorry as I can be, but you deserve what you got, bud.

And that goes for Hamas.

You won't see me shedding a single tear over their precious women and children, who, by the way, are often used as human shields by the yellow-bellied low-lives who perpetrate violence but refuse to suffer the consequences.

ALERT! Israel Sends Ground Troops Into Gaza

The ground incursion has begun.

But as Caroline Glick correctly observes, the current Israeli government has failed to set out reasonable goals that insure victory. 'Disarming' Hamas will never be enough. Iran will only send them more.

Crushing Hamas is the only hope for longterm victory, and the government has expressed little resolve to accomplish this goal.

Ynet news.com (H/t to Atlas Shrugs)

HEADLINES FROM THE ISRAELI-GAZA FRONT

Israel vowed to continue its attacks on Gaza even in the wake of heavy criticism for the death of one of the leaders of Hamas. In fact, Israel has intensified its offensive, according to a report in The Jerusalem Post.

Even so, the Post published an analysis written by David Horovitz which suggests Israel is on the brink of making the same mistake it did in 2006 in The Second Lebanon War.

Israel has a history of making a strong start in its retaliatory responses to Islamic terrorists all around it. It also has an ominous history of losing its resolve early on in the face of world criticism and gradually waning support from its closest friends.

Related to that issue, the Post points to the intense battle for public opinion currently being waged on America's streets.

If Israel makes the mistake once again of retreating before the job is done, it may not have a chance to render its enemies impotent ever again. Each time Israel retreats, Hamas and Hezbollah grow stronger.

This is not good for Israel, America, or the world.

The danger that these Islamic terrorist organizations pose to American interests is highlighted here.

A bit of good news for Sarah Palin fans, such as myself--Governor Palin has shown solidarity with our Jewish friends by attending a Chanukah celebration in Anchorage, during which she lit a candle in memory of the victims of the terrorist attacks in India.

I agree with Pamela Geller...this woman has guts. I can't wait for her to run against the Obamination in 2012.

Israeli Nuke Plant in Crossfire from Hamas

Stunned by the firepower exhibited by the terrorist organization Hamas, the Israelis stated on Thursday that its nuclear power plant in Dimona is in danger of being hit with Gaza rockets.

The Gaza terrorists have strengthened their ability to fire rockets much deeper into Israel than previously had been believed.

Israel’s worst nightmare is that soon all its cities will be within range either of the Hezbollah Katyushas arrayed on the Lebanese border to the north or the increasingly sophisticated missiles stockpiled by Hamas to the south. Both groups have links to Israel’s archenemy Iran.

The fact that Iran is behind much of the arsenal is of grave concern.

For the complete story, click here for The Times Online.

Breaking Updates on Israel-Gaza Conflict

The top news of the day is that Hamas has hijacked pro-Israel bloggers. Hackers attacked the blogs and set up messages on the sites indicating Hamas was in control. Cyber-attacks are the latest weapons in the arsenal of Islamic terrorists.

In addition, Pamela Geller live-blogged a blogger conference call of a briefing provided by the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Israeli Consulate of New York. You may read the contents of that conference call here.

For the past 2 days Hamas sympathizers in New York have staged protests of the Israeli retaliation against Gaza terrorists. Here is a report of those protests, along with photos.

Stating that Israel's response to Hamas has been 'disproportionate,' Jonathan Mark, writing in the Jewish World Review, maintains that the Jewish retaliation is but a mere drop in the bucket compared to the tsunami of attacks Hamas has unleashed against Israel over the last 7 years.

Indeed. A 'proportionate' response to Hamas would be roughly equal to the nightmarish horrors Israeli citizens have suffered at the hands of Islamic terrorists who live in Gaza. But of course, the world community would have nothing of it, and Israel would be condemned as a 'rogue nation.'

Personally, I think only a proportionate response would suffice. And needless to say that means allowing Israel to open up full throttle against the terrorist thugs of Gaza.

And finally, daily updates would not be complete without the invaluable live-blogging of Israellycool.com from the front lines.

The Map

The map says it all, and Pamela Geller has it.

One tiny Jewish nation surrounded by large, powerful, and hostile Muslim nations.

Here are some stats that should further illuminate the truth:

22 Totalitarian Arab/Islamic Countries
One Tiny Non-Arab/Democratic Country – Israel (in red, below)
Arab Countries – Oil Rich
Israel – No Oil Reserves
Arab Countries Have 800 Times More Land Than Israel
Israel is Only 1/6 of 1% the Size of the Arab Lands
It is so small…it is 1/19th the size of California
Israel: The Most Disputed strip of Real Estate on Planet Earth!
22 Hostile Arab/Islamic Nations Allied With 1.4 Billion Muslims Worldwide
One,Tiny Jewish Nation On The Entire Earth - Israel

Be sure to take a look at the map provided at the link above...scroll down a bit to see it.

In further news of the Israeli retaliation against Hamas terrorists, the White House issued a statement today in full support of Israel. So did the German government. The Germans of all people.

Israel vows an all-out war against Hamas until the perpetrators of violence and mayhem against the Jews are obliterated.

Links to further updates:
Report from the Front Lines in Israel
Muslim Head-Choppers on Rampage in Pakistan
Chicago Islamists Turn Violent at Jewish Synagogue
Caroline Glick--'Patriots and False Patriots'
Live-Blogging from the Front Lines

Second Amendment News Roundup for 12/29/08

Focusing on guns, politics, and news of interest, here is today's Second Amendment News Roundup:

Roberta X has an excellent read on political philosophy, which generated quite a bit of response.

Gun Rights Examiner--'What if You Held a Buyback and Nobody Came?' by David Codrea

From David Codrea's War on Guns:
*Obama will collaborate with other countries to restrict speech on Internet
*Shocking details on how easily authorities can suspend laws

From Matt Drudge--The Nanny State Run Amok:
*Oregon to impose mileage tax using satellite technology
*'Fat' tax to be implemented in New York

From Western Rifle Shooters Association:
*Obama's Black Widow--today's MUST-read on gov't surveillance
*Memorandum on Arms and Freedom
*Russia predicts breakup of the U.S.

Nicki provides excellent reading on racism and hoplophobia all in one package.

Pax Parabellum has some long-overdue, positive things to say about Dubya. True, I have been very critical of Bush on some things. But with regard to other things, he has been model of fortitude and integrity.

Uncle posts some interesting reading on gun crimes and race.

Breda says that it's Monday morning and the librarians are cranky. Glad she warned us. Breda is a gunnie. Don't want to cross no gun-totin' librarian when she's cranky...

From Sebastian's Snow Flakes in Hell:
*GOP gearing up to block the Holder nomination--good!
*The push to make private gun transfers illegal--great opinion piece
*Link between RKBA and overall freedom

The Sipsy Street Irregulars nominates the gun store owner of the year--and it's in a place where you'd least expect it.

JR has an excellent read on longterm underground storage of guns and ammo.

21 Guns Salute posts commentary on some of the latest news and has some advice as we face the new year.

Alphecca comments on the infamous and long-dreaded 'gun show loophole.'

Mike McCarville reports big news today. The Internet has replaced newspapers as the top source of news.

Michelle Malkin exposes the duplicity and hypocrisy of the Left over their outrage at ridicule directed toward Obama while perpetrating 'kill Bush' sentiments over the past 8 years.

Mindful Musings provides essential reading on Chicago's 'New Untouchables.'

Walls of the City posts some positive news stories about guns and self-defense.

Days of Our Trailers points to some idiots out there and wonders if they ever listen to themselves talk.

Texas Fred has some good commentary on the Israeli assault of Gaza.

The Rustmeister provides the quote of the day. Take a look!

Gateway Pundit reports that a big Democrat and former member of the U.S. House of Representatives has jumped aboard the ship to save Gaza from the Jews. What a nutcase!

An Ol' Broad's Ramblings posts today's edition of 'Obamarama.'

The U.S. Would Do Well to Remain Silent

For far too long the U.S. has meddled in the internal affairs of Israel and its defensive posture against terrorists all around it. The Israelis, however, have shown time and again that they are quite capable of doing what is necessary to survive in a hostile environment.

This is in spite of world-wide anti-Semitic propaganda, often propagated by a Left-leaning Press and certainly embraced by many of the world's nations and the U.N.

Nothing is ever said about terrorist rockets fired directly into Jewish neighborhoods at the rate of 200-300 per day. Yet when Israel gets a belly full of the Jihadist vermin and defends itself, its actions are immediately met with the condemnation of the usual suspects, including the U.N.

The U.S. has often felt the pressure of the world community to appear supportive of a 'palestinian state' in the name of a perennially elusive 'peace.' Thus, American Presidents are prone to issue generalized calls for 'a ceasefire' in these skirmishes.

This time, however, the U.S. would do well to remain silent.

The rockets will continue to fall deep inside Israeli territory unless the Jewish nation is allowed to do whatever is necessary to stop the terrorists, including a full-fledged ground invasion of Gaza.

In fact, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) believes that Hamas is gearing up for a massive terrorist attack against Israel within the next few days, including the kidnapping of an Israeli soldier.

It is clear, therefore, that Israel must be given a free hand to do what it must to survive in a terribly dangerous and volatile region of the world where invariably all the nations surrounding it wish for its demise.

And the best thing for America to do is to simply shut up.

Israeli-Gaza Conflict Could Escalate Quickly

With Israel reinforcing troops and tanks along its border with Gaza, the ongoing conflict between the Jewish state and the terrorist group Hamas could escalate quickly.

Hamas has also threatened retaliation so severe that Israel 'will have hell to pay.'

Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak has stated that he could not rule out ground troops being sent into Gaza if the air strikes did not accomplish their goal.

That goal, according to Barak, is to stop Hamas from firing deadly missiles into Israeli territory.

As expected, Hamas leaders whined about the 'massacre' carried out against Palestinians by Israel. And, as expected, the response to such sentiments is that if Hamas is so concerned about Palestinians, then it should not be sending missiles into Israel that kill and maim Israeli citizens.

Pamela Geller has updates. Scroll down for the latest.
Live-Blogging from Israel--up to the minute in Israeli time.
Hamas Calls Gaza Strike 'Holocaust'--say what!!??
Late-breaking updates at The Jerusalem Post--just click and scroll.

ISRAEL RETALIATES AGAINST GAZA JIHADISTS

In response to relentless terrorism aimed against its citizens, Israel has launched retaliatory attacks against Jihadist Muslims in Gaza.

Despite the court of world opinion and condemnations by the U.N., most who are sympathetic to the plight of the Jews in the face of Islamic terrorism view the defensive attack by Israel as long overdue.

One of the most asinine and indefensible pieces of propaganda emanating from the mainstream media and leftist politicians around the world is that Israel must simply be the sitting duck as terrorists all around it seek to wipe it from the face of the earth.

Such utterly irrational blather must be dismissed outright as anti-Semitic.

UPDATE: Via Matt Drudge, Reuters News Service is reporting that Hamas has threatened to 'unleash hell' on Israel in response to the attacks on Gaza.

UPDATE 2: Israellycool.com is live-blogging the Israeli attacks on Gaza and the resulting fallout. (H/t to Michelle Malkin).