In the Newspapers

Wed., January 7, 10:08 AM

One of Will Rogers’ best known quotes was, “All I know is what I read in the papers.” Well, that was before World War I, but I also remember a time when we still believed at least some of the journalists. My brother used to say he wanted to be John Chancellor when he grew up.

Those days are gone forever. I would almost say we are victims of the biases of editors, but I am afraid we believe what we want to believe. Do you ever read news reports that don’t originate in the United States? They can be a revelation. Last week, before the current Israeli actions, I wrote the following letter to the newspaper. The editor verified it the same day, but didn’t publish it. I figured it was considered old news, but they did publish it yesterday.

Let us be careful of one-sided opinions of the Israeli offensive, particularly when the only source of information has been the American media.

Are you aware that, during the so-called “cease fire,” Hamas was shooting at Israeli sites? Are you aware that Hamas used the cease-fire period to increase its arsenal and practice using new weapons? Personally, I don’t see much difference between the Hamas leadership and that of the old troublemaker, Yasser Arafat.

What no one seems to realize is that the offensive — and it is offensive! — will continue until the goal of the Palestinians changes. Ask any of them; they will tell you that Israel must be destroyed. Until they get past that, there is no way for civilized peace negotiations to take place.

I will be interested to see whether it draws any reaction. What I really would have liked to send was at least part of an article I received from Israel. It was dated December 27. But I know that the editors would have cut it until it bore no resemblance to the meaning it has here. Take a look.

  1. Hamas unilaterally suspended the Egyptian-brokered truce with Israel, launching hundreds of rockets at civilian targets in southern Israel over the past week. Israel has exercised maximum restraint, but — after eight years of missile barrages from Gaza — must come to the defense of the 250,000 Israelis living within range of Hamas attack. Any other sovereign nation would do the same.
  2. Under cover of the truce, Hamas engaged in a major campaign to upgrade its terrorist capabilities, manufacturing and smuggling massive quantities of weapons into Gaza — including rockets, explosive charges and machine guns — and constructing a network of underground tunnels for combat purposes. Israel cannot acquiesce to the presence of a Hezbollah-like organization on its southern border.
  3. The objective of the IDF [Israeli Defense Forces] operation is to cripple the terrorist infrastructure in Gaza, impairing the ability of Hamas and its allies to launch attacks on the citizens of Israel; IDF action would have been unnecessary had Hamas abandoned the path of terror. Israel is engaged in self-defense, and will respond assertively to any provocation by other parties in the region.
  4. Hamas belongs to the “A” League of extremism, alongside Iran, Syria, Al Qaida and Hezbollah. Many countries have designated Hamas a terrorist organization and will not engage in any contact with its representatives. Israel expects the international community to lend its support to the war on Hamas terror.
  5. Israel has done everything possible to avert any humanitarian crisis in Gaza, allowing for the regular entry of supplies and international aid. In fact, just last week, it was Hamas that acted to prevent the delivery of humanitarian assistance from Egypt.
  6. While the IDF takes pains to direct its activities exclusively against terrorists, Hamas callously places Palestinian civilians in harm's way — positioning its forces inside schools and houses of worship, and launching attacks from crowded areas. The unintentional injury of any civilians in Gaza is the sole responsibility of Hamas.
  7. Hamas objections notwithstanding, the Government of Israel will continue its pursuit of peace with the Palestinian people, led by President Abbas and Prime Minister Fayyad. Israel withdrew from the Gaza Strip in 2005 precisely to further this goal, but Hamas seized control of Gaza, turning the area into a launch pad for terrorism against Israel.

When Israel moved its citizens out of that area a few years ago, at considerable pain to many people, I still thought it was the right thing to do. We have to give them a chance to act in a similar, civil manner, I said. Well, obviously, I was wrong. It goes back to what I said in my letter: until the Palestinians, under whatever name they’re using, get past their goal of destroying Israel, whatever the cost, there can be no peace. After sixty years, they still don’t get it. What a pity!



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