The ongoing flare-up with Hizb’allah could not have come at a better time for Israel.
Israel has a unique opportunity to deal decisively with both Hizb’allah and the Assad regime in Syria with little or no threat of military intervention by other regional powers.
Egypt’s Hosni Mubarak is highly unlikely to lead his nation into battle against Israel on behalf of Syria, as he is old, weak, and heavily beholden to American financial and military aid.
Of course, we all know that thanks to the Americans, Saddam Hussein is no longer a threat.
And with US forces in Iraq and Afghanistan sandwiching Iran, even madman Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is unlikely to attack Israel and give Washington the excuse it has sought to abruptly end his quest to pave the way for the 12th Imam.
This may be just the opportunity Israel and the US have been waiting for to eliminate two of the biggest threats to regional stability. It should not be wasted.
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12 comments so far ↓
1 FERN SIDMAN // Jul 13, 2006 at 8:13 pm
SELF RESTRAINT IS FATAL
BY: FERN SIDMAN
As a young person growing up in New York City, I was a member of Brit Trumpeldor of America, better known as the Zionist Youth Movement Betar, founded by the great Zionist leader, Ze”ev Jabotinsky. When I joined Betar at the age of 12, every potential member was required to enroll in the Tironut program. Tironut, or basic training, as it were, was an intensive series of lectures and seminars covering a wide range of topics including Jewish history, the history of the Zionist movement and the glorious legacy of Betar and the Jewish underground that valiantly battled the British during the mandatory regime, prior to the creation of the State of Israel.
I learned about a young Jew from Poland named Shalom Tabachnik, a/k/a Shlomo Ben Yosef, a member of Betar who came to live in the land of Israel and who settled on the northern settlement of Rosh Pina. On Thursday, April 21, 1938, the 20th day of Nissan 5698, Ben Yosef and two Betar colleagues attempted to defend the settlement of Rosh Pina from an impending Arab attack, emanating from the neighboring Arab village of Djani. An automobile carrying Arabs approached Rosh Pina. Ben Yosef and his two fellow Betarim stepped out on the road and tried to stop the automobile. A single shot was fired and the Arabs fled in panic.
A few hours after the incident the three young men were arrested by the British police. They gave themselves up without any struggle. “Despite the fact that not a single drop of blood was shed at Rosh Pina and despite the fact that the police knew very well that the three young men had only fired into the air in order to discourage the Arabs from passing through the settlement, the British decided to create a big “terrorist” incident out of the Rosh Pina affair. The very fact that Jews had resolved to withstand an Arab attack made them feel afraid. Their plan to frighten Jews from coming to Palestine would be endangered if Jews were to fight back. They knew very well that the Jews could put an end to the Arab “revolts” in a few days.” (Triumph on the Gallows, Itzhak Gurion, 1950)
On June 29, 1938 Ben Yosef was hanged on the gallows by the British authorities. His last words in a conversation with friends were, “Havlagah” (self-restraint) is fatal.”
Today I also thought of the brave and courageous defender of the settlement Tel Chai. I thought of Yosef Trumpeldor, for whom Betar is named. I thought of his efforts to defend Tel Chai against Arab attacks. No stranger to military conflicts, Trumpeldor was the highest ranking Jewish officer in the Czar’s army during the Russo-Japanese war of 1905. I thought of him and of his last words when he was gunned down by an Arab bullet while defending the settlement in 1920.
Today, I thought of the last words of Shlomo Ben Yosef and Yosef Trumpeldor when I read of Katyusha rocket attacks on cities in northern Israel. Besides Nahariya, it was reported that Rosh Pina and Tel Chai had been hit by rocket fire and that the airport in Rosh Pina was shut down. I thought of Shlomo Ben Yosef and Yosef Trumpeldor when I heard Ehud Olmert’s response to the rocket attacks by the Syrian backed Hizbollah militia in Lebanon. According to a news report from Arutz Sheva, “Olmert was clear that the multi-pronged attack, which involved ground forces as well as Katyusha rockets, was not an act of terror, but “an act of war” and said the Israeli response would be “very restrained but very, very painful.”
Seems like the word restraint keeps rearing its head. The Associated Press reported that, “U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan called for restraint. “We would not want to see an expansion, an escalation, of conflict in the region,” he said. Mr. Annan was joined by US Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice, who was quoted by Associated Press as saying, “All sides must act with restraint to resolve this incident peacefully and to protect innocent civilians and civilian infrastructure.” If we’ve learned anything from this two front war that threatens to explode like a powder keg, we’ve learned that the calls for restraint from world leaders only apply to Israel. Seems like the age old double standard concerning the actions of Israel are in full swing.
While the State of Israel engages Hizbollah terrorists on its northern border and Hamas terrorists on its southern border, let us remember the words of the young Betari from Rosh Pina. Let us remember the words of this simple Jew whose courage and bravery move us to tears. Let us remember the actions and examples that Yosef Trumpeldor set for his people and his beloved nation of Israel, so many years ago.
It is these axioms that must shape our destiny in the current military conflict. We must address the world clearly and unequivocally. We must shout from the rooftops, the words of Shlomo Ben Yosef. Yes, it is true. Self restraint is fatal. We know that self restraint only emboldens our enemies. We know that the Arab enemy mocks and ridicules Israel when self restraint is elevated to the level of a religious commandment. We know that only swift action without trepidation or hesitation can ensure our preservation.
The facts are clear and cannot be debated. Three Israeli soldiers are being held captive by our Arab enemy and eight Israeli soldiers lay dead as a result from the brazen attacks from Hizbollah. Jewish settlements, towns and cities are being barraged by Katyusha rocket attacks on our northern front and continued Kassam rocket attacks are being staged by our Arab enemy In Gaza. This is the time to throw off the yoke of “restraint”. Our survival and preservation as a people and nation are at stake. Now is the time conquer our proverbial nemesis, better known as fear of world opinion. Now is the time to reach out to the Almighty G-d of Israel.
Now is the time to know that Hashem marches into battle with us. As Jews, we are never alone. Hashem will be with us, if only we allow Him to be. If only we bend our collective necks to the yoke of Heaven and walk in His ways and remain faithful to His commandments. Hashem commands us to show no mercy on our enemies. We are commanded to fear only G-d and to treat our enemies accordingly. To engage in bold and decisive military actions that will permanently disable Hizbollah and Hamas. If we can summon up the strength to quash our own egos and accept Hashem’s dominion, the battle will be fought for us.
On this 17th day of Tammuz, may our prayers reach the Almighty G-d of Israel and may He protect His nation Israel.
2 Jan Unger // Jul 13, 2006 at 10:09 pm
Ryan - AMEN to your words!
Fern - thank you so much for your comments. They are powerful and true. It is an honor for me to lift Isreal up in prayer before the Throne. May the hand of the Lord God of Israel rest upon you!
3 Jean // Jul 13, 2006 at 10:09 pm
I’ve been reading about Joshua and the battles of Israel of old. The reason for the victories was because THE ALMIGHTY was with them…”I delivered them into your hand…but not with thy sword, nor with thy bow”. “Now therefore fear the LORD, and serve him in sincerity and in truth…”. And then, Joshua’s famous statement, “but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” It seems to be clear from GOD’S WORD that battles can be won and victory realized when GOD’S people obey and serve HIM as HE desires. Prayers for Israel are constantly in my mind and heart as I watch these days unfold.
4 don // Jul 14, 2006 at 8:55 am
shame on you. zionist..the time will come to show the truth..
5 Rodney in Oregon // Jul 14, 2006 at 4:35 pm
Isreal has every right to defend itself. And the US and other countries should not just stand by and watch they should assist Isreal in beating the terrorism that is in the Middle East.
6 Lewis Loflin // Jul 14, 2006 at 7:01 pm
While I’m not a Jew or Christian (I’m a Deist) I wish to voice my support for Israel and feel it’s about time to stop pandering to Islamist terror.
It’s time Israel must crush these terrorists and their supporters. They must try, convict, and excute all terrorists and their leaders.
The US must follow a similar agenda. G-d bless Israerl and America. http://www.sullivan-county.com/main.htm
7 Donna Crowell // Jul 14, 2006 at 9:17 pm
I am proud that Isreal is standing up to the bullies. I know God is watching over them and will see them thru, These terriorst must be stopped. I think Isreal gave up too much and then they { the Jew haters } shouted to the world that they wanted them removed from the world, WELL, do they have an awakening coming!! The Jews are here to STAY !!! Praise God
8 Dr. Ronald B. Chandley // Jul 15, 2006 at 7:22 am
As it is written:” If MY people,which are called by MY name,shall humble themselves,and pray,and seek MY face,and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from Heaven,and will forgive their sin,AND WILL HEAL THEIR LAND” (2 Chron. 7:14).
It is no mystery to what is happening to our beloved Israel, “IF” you understand the word of GOD…..and that is the problem….many do not.
But not to worry….Our FATHER is in control.
To GOD be the glory
9 Tracey // Jul 15, 2006 at 2:03 pm
response to comment No.4 Don
‘time will come to show the truth’
Have you looked into the stary Heavens, gazed into the wonder of the magnificiant oceans; gasped at the glory and majesty of the animal kingdom; the asstounding beauty of flowers and trees and finaly the mystery of a man or woman who bows in humble adoration and repentance to a ~G-d of Love, who showed us the way of life; by being the perfect sacrifice to rescue our souls from the grip of evil.! yes this is the time for the truth..
G-d is Love and longs for all of the world to humble themselves before Him. If you search your heart, and your conscience is not totaly destroyed you will know that this is true.
‘Teshuvah’ even in our righteous struggles there should be sorrow for hurt inflicted.’
G-d is Love it is not His delight to inflict punnishment and ultimately abandonment of a lost soul ~we should have sorrow for our sins as much too, to have sorrow for those who are trapped in darkness ~ praying for those who persecute you.
This is the fruit of those who choose to serve a G-d of Love.
There should never be gladness or revenge in our hearts over the destruction of any human being.
10 Magal // Jul 16, 2006 at 2:19 pm
Concordo plenamente
11 Philip // Jul 16, 2006 at 9:13 pm
We are Christians who truely believes that Israel has a right to exsist and stand for that right. We (my wife and I) believe in the G-D of Abraham,Issac,Jacob. As Christians Yeshua is the same G-D. The Lord G-D is not finnished with His people we truely believe this. what Mr.Sidman said about humbling our selves and comming back to G-D is so needed today this brings me to 2Chronicals 7:14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. This so true not just for Israel but for the gentile nations I think of King David how he humbled himself and became a man after G-Ds own heart.
12 Donnie // Sep 14, 2006 at 6:36 am
Your comment about the U.S. and Israel have the opportunity to destroy the two biggest threats in the region. Have you guys not pulled us into enough Wars already? World War I and II. I’m a full red blooded American born Republican but in Iraq I have lost 8 friends to a war I still can’t figure out why we are in to start with? This country needs to wake up and stop being a puppet for Israel. My reason for saying that is the 19 Terrorist on Sept. 11 why are 7 still alive and living in ther home countries? One is reportedly a pilot for a Saudi airlines. Give me some answer to that question. Also why were there 5 Israel person’s dancing on a van across the river when the Tower’s went down? Please answer that. I’m not a racist I’m far from it but I do have a mind to think for myself and not the all the News Media make me a puppet to all there bull****….
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