College Conservative Movement

No, because the violence in the region is escalating to the point where more countries could get drawn into the conflict. Israel should be focusing on Syria because it helped the Hezbollah militants shift their men thru the Lebanon Southern UN line, and with Iran, took action in capturing two Israeli soldiers.

Half of Lebanon do not support the militants, but Israel is wrecking their entire economic infrastructure. Israel fighters targeted Beirut's airport again. What next, destroy all the civilian aircraft that are parked there?

Fuel depot at Beirut's International Airport destroyed. This is another major escalation b/c it represents essential jet fuel used by their civilian operations.

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.

More than half of our nation does not support our president... does that make our nation not responsible for anything republicans do?

THE SANCTITY OF LIFE

BY: FERN SIDMAN

As the war in Israel enters its sixth day, we have witnessed unprecedented Katyusha rocket attacks from Syrian and Iranian backed Hezbollah militia on the cities of Acco, Nahariya, Tzfat and most recently in Haifa.

CNN reports that, "In the attack on Haifa, one of the Hezbollah rockets hit a railway depot in the city's industrial zone, killing at least eight and wounding 17 others -- six of them seriously," -- Israeli medical services said.

The report goes on to say that, "Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah said Sunday that his fighters still have plenty of weapons and the will to keep fighting. Our fighters are ready, and they love the confrontation and have the determination to defeat," he said in a televised address in Arabic to the Lebanese people. And as we surprised [Israel] in the sea, and as we surprised them in Haifa, we will surprise them with what's beyond Haifa," Nasrallah said.
He accused Israel of attacking civilian targets, while insisting that Hezbollah was patient and has aimed its rocket attacks only at the Israeli military.

"The enemy does not know our capabilities," he said. "The Zionist enemy is ignorant of what we have on all levels. We are still in the beginning, and the Zionists will see."

On the southern front in Gaza, CNN reporters that, "Israeli forces redeployed to Beit Hanoun in northern Gaza early Sunday to halt Qassam rocket launches, the IDF said. The Israeli military moved in after launching three airstrikes overnight Saturday to quell "terror infrastructures" in northern Gaza.

At this juncture in time, the reaction of the world to this latest Middle East conflict has been cascading in at a blinding pace. According to the American Foreign Press, "Russia, France, Britain and Italy criticized Israel for its "disproportionate" use of force.

It is to no one's surprise that the European Union chimed in with their own condemnation of Israel's offensive in Lebanon. According to an Associated Press report issued on 7/13/06, it states, "The European Union on Thursday criticized Israel for using "disproportionate" force in its attacks on Lebanon following the cross-border raid by Hezbollah guerillas who captured two Israeli soldiers."

The EU also called Israel's naval blockade cutting off supply routes to Lebanon unjustified.

Separately, EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana said he was planning a peace mission to the Middle East.

"The European Union is greatly concerned about the disproportionate use of force by Israel in Lebanon in response to attacks by Hezbollah on Israel," according to a statement issued by Finland, which holds the EU's rotating presidency. "The presidency deplores the loss of civilian lives and the destruction of civilian infrastructure. The imposition of an air and sea blockade on Lebanon cannot be justified."

In the EU's strongest comment on the escalating violence, the statement said "actions, which are contrary to international humanitarian law, can only aggravate the vicious circle of violence and retribution, and cannot serve anyone's legitimate security interests."

And while the world and leaders of the G8 summit urge Israeli restraint and the rest of the world is busy castigating and lambasting Israel for defending itself against Hezbollah, one of the world's leading terrorist organizations, we can only sit and ponder what the world's perspective is on the sanctity of life.

Let us remember that this conflict with Hezbollah forces in Southern Lebanon began on Wednesday, July 12th, with a brazen and surprise attack on an Israeli military outpost on the Israeli-Lebanese border. Katyusha rockets killed three Israeli soldiers and two were kidnapped by Hezbollah terrorists. Five more Israeli soldiers were subsequently killed as a result of a Hezbollah planted land mine. Israel immediately demanded the return of the two soldiers and since that time there has been no response from Hezbollah except for the outrageous demand of "direct negotiations" with Israel over the release of thousands of Palestinian terrorists imprisoned in Israel.

We also must remember that Cpl. Gilad Shalit, is still being held captive by Hamas forces somewhere in Gaza.

It should be clear to the world that while in the past Israel has agreed to prisoner exchanges with the forces of terrorism in the Middle East, this time around Israel will not acquiesce to the blackmail of the Arab enemy. Direct negotiations with the enemy and the possibility of a prisoner exchange must be ruled out as solutions.

And so the world is up in arms, and has expressed shock and dismay that Israel would wage such an intense battle "just" for the release of three soldiers. The world labels the response from Israel as "disproportionate" and "unjust". This kind of response should bring the nation of Israel great comfort and hope.

While the vociferous Arab enemy and the world devalues and cheapens life, we must hold our collective heads up high and continue to declare to the world in no uncertain terms, that the life of one Jew demands that we employ a bold and relentless effort to secure his release. It must be made clear to the world that the nation of Israel and the Jewish people places an incredibly high value on life, respects and reveres it, even if it is "only" one life. We must enunciate our view that it is incumbent on the nation of Israel to move mountains to save a Jewish life and that we will not be deterred by the plethora of criticism and condemnations spewed forth by a world that feels that Jewish blood is cheap and meaningless.

In the end, we much prefer the world's condemnations, rather than their condolences when a Jewish life has been snuffed out. The Torah tells us that the life on one life is tantamount to an entire world. Today we are in a battle to save three worlds. Today we are in a battle to preserve Jewish life and to declare to a world predicated on callous disregard for human life, that we, the nation of Israel are indeed a different and special nation. It is a nation that places enormous emphasis on the sanctity of life.

This position has been evidenced both in Gaza and Lebanon, with careful measures not to target civilian populations, even though it is abundantly clear that these "civilians" are supporters and advocates of the very terrorists that we are fighting. In Gaza, these innocent "civilians" lob grenades and bombs at Israeli troops with one hand while holding their own child in the other.

The Arab enemy is well aware that the nation of Israel respects life and exploits that dear and cherished value to their own end. They interpret and perceive this respect for "innocent civilians" as a sign of weakness and surrender and capitalize on the humanity and civility of the nation of Israel. As a result, Israel has sustained an inordinate number of casualties and deaths because of the scrupulous measures that we implement to spare the lives of our ferocious and unremitting enemies.

When we read of "innocent civilians" being killed by Israeli rockets, we must know that the Israeli government precedes every attack with the spreading of thousands of leaflets warning "civilians" to leave the area. We also know that the term "innocent civilians" as it applies in this latest conflict is a misnomer and an erroneous term. These people who call themselves "civilians" are rather enemy combatants, for they spare no words in praising Hezbollah and Hamas. Yet, Israel treats these members of the Arab enemy with respect and warns them of imminent attacks.

So if we are deluged by the incessant and insane condemnations of the world and if we hear the hackneyed and trite expression, "disproportionate reaction" pertaining to the Israeli offensive, ad nauseum, our hearts must swell with pride and we must revel in the majesty and glory of this special and chosen nation of Israel. We must raise our voices to the Heavens and say the words, Mi K'Amcha Yisroel. Who is like your people Israel?? We must raise our cups every week at the conclusion of the holy Sabbath and say the words, Hamavdil bein Yisroel L'Amin when we pronounce with pride the DIFFERENCE between Israel and the nations of the world. What other nation, would wage this type of battle to secure the freedom and welfare of "just" three people. For no other nation or no other leader can fully comprehend or understand the glorious respect that the nation of Israel has for the lives of its people.

Let us continue to beseech the Almighty G-d of Israel with our prayers an supplications for the release of three solders of the nation of Israel and let us ask Hashem to march into battle with the nation of Israel. Concerning our enemies, let us recite the worlds of the sweet singer of Israel, King David who said, (Psalms, chapter 83), "Let them (our enemies) be shamed and terrified forever, then they will be disgraced and they will be doomed. Then they will know that You whose name is Hashem (Almighty G-d of Israel) are alone, Most High, over all the earth."

"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."

You are f*cking scary man. A rose by any other name smells as sweet, and this smacks of jihad. Maybe complacency is not what will fix the situation, but extremist versus extremist will NEVER solve anything as extremists are so detremined to never listen to each other. Thumping your own version of 'The Book' will never solve anything when dealing with people who thump as loud as you do (or even those who don't).