Israel has the right

It bothers me a lot when I read comments from people berating Israel on the current conflict with Lebanon.

You may argue that Israel has gone a little overboard on its reaction over Hezbollah's kidnapping of two of its citizens and the constant firing of rockets into Israel.

My question is: who are we to judge Israel's response to terrorism and murder?

Remember that Israel is a very small country surrounded by hostile neighbors with huge areas, huge population, unmlimited funds, and almost all of them with a hatred of Jews. If the Arab countries stand idle when atacked, they might lose a city or a few miles along the border (as it happened before). If Israel stands idle it dissappears.

We have to understand that the stated goal of Hamas and Hezbollah is the annihilation of the Jews. Are we, the world, ready to condone genocide? It happened in Rwanda and Kosovo. It happens today in Congo where if you do not agree with these genocidal maniacs, or convert to their brand of religion, they'll kill you.

Israel has the right to defend herself. There is a Lebanese Government, isn't there? Is the Lebanese Government unable or unwilling to reign in Hezbollah? I do not know which is the answer. I do now that Israel is fed up and decided that the Lebanese Government did not hold their end of the deal made when Israel left Southern Lebabon and U.N. Resolution 1559 said they have to disarm Hezbollah and get them out of Southern Lebanon. This, Lebanon has not done.

At least not all Arabs think that way. Youssef Ibrahim has published an excellent article: "Arab Majority May Not Stay Forever Silent":

"Yes, world, there is a silent Arab majority that believes that seventh-century Islam is not fit for 21st-century challenges. That women do not have to look like walking black tents. That men do not have to wear beards and robes, act like lunatics, and run around blowing themselves up in order to enjoy 72 virgins in paradise. And that secular laws, not Islamic Shariah, should rule our day-to-day lives."

I have heard some Americans calling talk radio shows and critizicing Israel. I ask them, if we had an armed group inside the USA (say in Southern Arizona) that started shelling Mexico and hitting cities and civilians, would the US condone it? Hell no! The Feds would take action immediately!

What would happen if the reverse was true and the Mexicans (or anyone else) started attacking us? It has happened and the reaction was swift. After 9/11, we attacked Afghanistan to get those responsible for the deed.

It was done by the USA way before that when in 1916 General Pershing led a punitive expedition into Mexico to retaliate for Pancho Villa's attack in Columbus, New Mexico.

You still think Israel should stand idle and not respond to attacks on her country?

You should also remember that Israel is a democracy and has many Arab citizens. I rather be an Arab in Israel than a Jew in Lebanon.

If you agree, or don't, please feel free to make informed, civilized comments to this post.