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We appreciate more than words can impart, the kind and thoughtful people who have sent text messages, e-mails, and posted on social media with respect to their concern about the massacre of innocent civilians in Israel by Hamas and its supporters. In almost every contact, we hear: Why, Why, Why?
A short primer, or reminder, may be in order for those asking the "Why" question.
1. Who is Hamas and why would they murder innocent civilians?
Hamas is a terrorist organization formed, organized, run, and paid for by the most extreme Muslim ideology. Their job is to kill any non-Muslims, especially in the Middle East. Some do not realize this but under traditional Islamic ideology, Christians are idol worshippers who deserve to be killed and Jews are acceptable only so long as they are subservient to Islam. Israel has broken the rules for the Muslim community in the Middle East. Islamic extremists have managed to run all the Christians out of that part of the world or to kill them. However, they have not been successful in destroying Israel in spite of numerous attempts over the years. Israel still exists and thrives.
2. Why innocent civilians?
Innocent civilians, to Hamas and groups like them, are not "innocent." The idea of innocence in war is a western philosophy. The Nazis, among others, did not spare innocent civilians and murdered as many of them as possible, including 6 million Jews. There is no innocent for the Muslim butchers of the Middle East. There is another reason why innocent Israelis at a music festival, on their Sabbath and during a holiday, would be targeted by groups like Hamas. The civilians may be of mixed gender, women, homosexual, or irreligious, all of whom on top of not being the right Muslim sect, are considered vermin to be destroyed. The notion of restraint, respect for human life, and the values of western civilization do not exist among Hamas, Hezbollah, Iran, and those of like persuasion.
3. Why did Israeli intelligence not pick up the threat sooner?
We do not know the answer to that yet. What we do know is that Israel, like all western democracies, lives in denial of the horror and terror that stalks the world populated by Hamas-like groups. We, in the United States, were shocked by 9/11 but thereafter we helped fight and fund a war against Isis and other groups over a period of 10 years. However, Americans are still in denial. Our streets, in many metropolitan areas, are filled with those who actually support the genocide carried out against the Jewish people and western civilization in the Middle East. They live in our cities, they cross our borders, in some cases they occupy elected position, they work in our hospitals, and they are becoming part of our society. They are a cancer who do not subscribe to any sense of decency or decorum, especially if the perceived opponent is a Christian or Jew. America and the western world in general believes that they can assimilate anybody who will appreciate the virtues of our way of life and abide by reasonable and fair principles. Not so among those who embrace the poisonous doctrines that rule large portions of this planet. Hamas has made its point of view clear both in writing and over the airways. They seek nothing less than the total and complete annihilation and destruction of Israel and the West. No one is safe unless they are fundamentalists, nationalist Muslims seeking world domination and an international caliphate.
4. Is the West or Israel somehow responsible for making the Muslim murderers angry or frustrated?
This logic is seen throughout the Western world. Some believe that murder occurs because criminals are underprivileged, come from poor homes, or are frustrated by an unfair society. Gaza is an area of land several times the size of Washington, D.C. It was turned over to the Palestinian Authority approximately 20 years ago so that they could self-govern and build a nation. Instead, Hamas booted out the Palestinian Authority and seized control. It declared war against Jews, Christians, and the West but nevertheless has become one of the most financed outposts of terror in the world. It is given aid and comfort by the United Nations, Russia, Iran, Qatar, and a host of other enterprises. In fact, Gaza is one of the wealthiest enclaves of terror in the world. It never declared its nationhood, but rather has exploited its position to launch terror campaigns against Israel. The West has failed and refused to blockade Gaza. This is shown by the enormous amount of weaponry that it has at its disposal and the fact that Israel has shipped hundreds of thousands of tons of goods, hardware, medical supplies, and food into Gaza. Israel supplies Gaza with electricity. One source reported that Israel imported 850,000 tons of concrete to Gaza for the purpose of building schools, hospitals, and housing. Instead, those materials were used to build terror tunnels used in recent attacks. The failure of Israel was not to impose a blockade, but to fail to impose a blockade and to enforce it. Hamas does not wage war, seeking to spill the blood of its perceived enemies, out of frustration or economic hardship. Quite to the contrary. Gaza undertakes its terrorist campaign for the purpose of shocking and killing. It already has its freedom and ability to act as a nation, but would rather function as an agent of evil, causing as much damage to the non-Islamic world as is humanly possible.
5. What can the West do?
The West, through NATO, has made more than a feeble attempt to protect the values of Western civilization. However, this is not enough. The United States, working with other democracies, must dramatically ramp up cooperation between nations that seek peace and are constantly challenged by the threat of terror. Israel should be part of this relationship, should receive the umbrella of protection afforded by a beefed-up NATO, and likewise should contribute to the safety of the free world. Israel already has a robust information sharing relationship with the United States and Western Europe, but obviously much more needs to be done. Those in the West need to be focused less on their immediate political ideologies and more on what it will take to create safety and security for those of us who believe that democracy is a worthwhile institution.
The United States is struggling today to define its own identity. We live in a country torn apart by political, racial, and other differences. We have lost our focus on the necessity to ensure the safety of our nation, the strength of our military and opportunity for all those who are deserving. Without a recommitment to these principles, the United States will find itself at the mercy of every tyrant and murderer bereft of any conscience.
Clifford A. Rieders is a board-certified trial advocate in Williamsport.