Israel At War - Day 6

Their is no such thing as disappropiate if you are attacked by 1 rocket or 200

Posted by: Jerome Eiasenbruck at Jan 1, 2009 6:28:54 PM

Why do so few people remind the world who started this conflict? Should Israel reduce its forces so as to be on the same level as the Hamas agressors? Like a man willing to fight with one hand tied behind his back? Get real! If your neighbor starts shooting up your garden, any normal person would respond... with whatever arms are in his power!

Posted by: Ralph Goodridge at Jan 1, 2009 7:04:18 PM

Why is there any talk of disproportionate use of force. The Palestinians have it in their power to end the bombing of Gaza, it's so very simple. Stop firing rockets, mortars, missiles into Israeli cities. Stop sending suicide terrorists and murderers into Israeli shopping centers, restaurants and hotels. Stop smuggling arms, ammunition and other weapons that are being used against Israeli citizens into Gaza through the tunnels. Run a civilized society that doesn't demand the destruction of it's neighbor states and the death of it's citizens. Join the community of nations that desire to live in peace. You don't want to do that? OK, so live with air strikes on your cities and the death of your people.

Posted by: Kenny Komodo at Jan 1, 2009 7:30:46 PM

The Western powers lead by the Europeans embargoed Iraq for several years reportedly causing half a million infant deaths due to medical supplies shortages. No missiles were falling on Brussels or London. What would Britain do if the IRA fired rockets unto Glasgow?

Posted by: Yitschak Livni at Jan 1, 2009 7:30:46 PM

for HR editors- Have you watched Israeli tv lately or read the papers? They give Al Jazeera and the BBC a run for their money. I would not use them; they are often not much less anti-Israel than the world press who occasionally base their reports on Israeli press reports.

Posted by: Yitschak at Jan 1, 2009 7:30:47 PM

I specifically wrote this comment and put it forward to be added as a comment wherever I can. If others want to use it or base their own comments around it please do,

There have been too many reports of the over reaction by Israel in that so many have been killed in such a short period compared to Israel's comparatively low mortality rate as a result of the rocket attack but this has either been through sheer luck or protection by some greater being. If the rockets had done what Hamas had intended them to do and each had only killed one Israeli there would have been at least 3,000 dead in comparison and these would have been in the main deliberately targeted civilians. So far Israel has aimed at what it regards as military targets (unfortunately concealed in high density civilian areas) and has always tried to avoid civilian casualties. Compare like for like in the intentions of each side and who is the guilty party.

Posted by: manny.barwin at Jan 1, 2009 7:59:38 PM

Israel should have responded sooner - It is Israel’s government fault for this escalation.

For years the Arab population around and surrounding Israel has been bombing with rockets and suicide bombers.

Would the U.S. or any other country shown such restraint while its citizens are terrorized, the answer is absolutely not.

Israel chose restraint. The Arab world sees restrained as a sign of weakness and capitulation.

It is long overdue for Israel to take off the gloves and respond with extreme force and keep the pressure without relenting.

Do not worry about the media or world opinion. You do whatever you have to, to defend your country and its population.

People in the world respect those in power who defend their citizens and not weaklings, even though they may object initially.

If the Arab permit extremist to hide among civilians, they must bear the consequences, it is a right and an obligation to protect its citizens by any means available – no force is too small, extreme force and prejudice is required.

For every bullet a grenade, for every missile a bombardment. When Sharon was defense minister many years ago, that was the policy and it worked, it will work today also.

Any terrorist actions should be dealt with in the strongest fashion possible, otherwise the situation will escalate.

Anyone threatening the security will be expelled out of their homes and the greater Israel

Jay Draiman

Posted by: Jay Draiman at Jan 3, 2009 8:47:42 PM

Israel has the right to defend itself, Hamas had chance after chance after chance for peace, but they only theach theur children hate.
I hope Israel will sweep away hamas from Gaza.
Gaza back to Israel, Westbank back to Israel and entire Jerusalem to Israel!!!

Posted by: Sonia at Jan 3, 2009 8:49:40 PM

Iam sickened by the continued lies propogated by Hamas. And whats this disproportionate use of force? Are you kidding? Hamas using Mosques,intense populated civilian areas to launch rockets from...what cowards they are. Take Gaza back! Rid yourselves of those who would do you harm. How long do you think the US would put up with rockets from Cuba into Florida everyday and do nothing? Or from Canada and do nothing? My brother Israel, it is written that your land is not to be given away.

Posted by: michael moore at Jan 3, 2009 8:50:09 PM

Let the world remember that Hamas terrorists today are the same terrorists who danced in the streets on 9/11 and gave out sweet to children.

Posted by: Donald Kronish at Jan 3, 2009 8:51:32 PM

The discussion about 'proportional' and 'disproportional' is ridiculous.

Israel's civilian population has been under attack by a terrorist group.
Israel's right and resaponsibility is to protect its population.

All what is happening now is that Israel is finally acting on this responsibility.
Anybody who wants to be helpful to civilians on both sides should talk to and convince Hamas to change its policy and actions, and stop terrorizing the civilian populations in the area.

Posted by: A Hubert at Jan 3, 2009 8:51:32 PM

For the media to whine that Isreal's reaction is overkill, is insane. Are they supposed to go and "talk" to these vicious unprincipled Aggressors?
Like a previous poster said, stop sending rockets, and it will all end, period. Thank you for honest reporting and a response to the ridiculous reports downplaying death and destruction as "nagging". I guess if someone pulls a gun on you in your store, that's nagging too, and since you have more money and goods than the robber, you should also pull a gun on yourself to help the poor defenseless robber!

Posted by: Marcel SilviusI at Jan 3, 2009 8:53:50 PM

Disproportionate Force:
What a silly term. Disproportionate force has always been used to win wars. Did anyone criticize the US in WW II because disproportionate force was used against Germany and Japan, or when General Powell wanted to use overwhelming (disproportionate) force against Iraq.
Does anyone criticize the Gaza terrorists of using disproportionate force when they launch rockets at Israel when Israel is not using any force against them.
Since the term seems to be used only against Israel, it does suggest that there may be a subtle anti-Semitism involved.
Furthermore, if Israel, or any country, is forced to constrain its application of force to that which is proportional the terrorists get to determine the amount of force that can be used against them. That's a rediculous idea.

Posted by: Bob Rubinstein at Jan 3, 2009 8:53:50 PM

Even though my comments are not just in relation to this last week or so I'd like to mention information from a Teaching Letter by Clarence Wagner Jr.from Bridges for Peace a few years ago "Standing with Israel - by what right."
At the time 726 Israeli men, women and children had been killed, and 5050 maimed and injured. There had been over 16,350 attacks.
To compare Israeli deaths to the 3000 killed at the World Trade Centre in 2001, the death and injury in Israel by population proportion is comparable in America to 31,944 dead, 222,640 maimed in 719,000 attacks.
How would the world react if they knew these facts?

Posted by: Ms Margaret Cooper at Jan 3, 2009 8:56:22 PM

You should add pictures of the school hit yesterday and the kindergarten, and note that no one was murdered because all children were instructed to hide at shelters for several days now.
Hamas, on the other hand, have never spent a penny on facilities to protect their citizens in times like this. Most of the billions of Dollars they received from the compassionate world are spent on weapons etc.

Posted by: michal Ravdin at Jan 3, 2009 8:56:22 PM

I was watchng CNN news yesterday (Wednesday) while I was exercising. A writer was promoting his book on the Middle East (I don't remember his name or book, but his name sounded Islamic). He said peace would only come to the Middle East if Israel accepted a two-state solution. Meanwhile, in the background was a Hamas demonstrator holding a sign saying "End the injustice of 61 years." So who is resistant to a 2-state solution? And why do the media insist on spinning fair tales so divorced from reality?

Posted by: Alan Ehrlich at Jan 3, 2009 8:56:22 PM

Thank you so much for keeping us informed re Isreal. Pleas call people to pray,God did great things for Isreal in the Old Testament days and He will do it again.

Posted by: Sally McGeagh at Jan 3, 2009 8:56:22 PM

I know that if any city in America was being fired upon that we would fire back we would not just sit and do nothing. I am in total aggreement with Israel they should do what ever it takes to stop this violence.I will keep them in my prayers daily.

Posted by: Lora Parsons at Jan 3, 2009 9:02:45 PM

IF YOU HAD A NEIGHBOR WHO SENT SOME ONE INTO YOUR HOUSE ALMOST EVERY DAY THROWING KNIVES AT YOUR FAMILLY AND MOST DAYS YOUR FAMILLY WAS ABLE TO HIDE EXCEPT FOR SVERAL DAYS WHERE HE WOULD KILL OR INJUR SOME OF YOUR FAMILY.NOW THIS GOES ON FOR 3 YEARS AND YOU FINALLY SAY ENOUGH IS ENOUGH AND YOU GO OVER TO HIS HOUSE WITH YOUR GUN AND YOU SHOOT HIM,IS THIS CALLED EXCESSIVE FORCE ON YOUR PART?I SAY ABSOLUTELY NOT.

Posted by: at Jan 3, 2009 9:02:46 PM

Like a mouse gnawing away at the ankles of a gorilla, tiny Israel MUST use overwhelming force to protect herself from the huge Islamist enemy all around her. Take a look at the map. That world opinion-makers favor Israel's enemies shows their deliberate blindness and stupidity. The first item of business should be total agreement with Israel's right to exist on her historic homeland. Jerusalem belongs to Israel. Israel should return to its borders following 6-day war in 1967. Period.

Posted by: Una Mary at Jan 3, 2009 9:07:10 PM

http://idfspokesperson.com/

Posted by: DaveH at Jan 3, 2009 9:07:10 PM

Please let us download the videos you have about the "big lies" so we can post them everywhere. On youtube, liveleak, truthtube, myspace, facebook, hi-5, blogs, etc. etc.
People are not that prone to click on a link than if they had a video to click play to.
I just want to help counter the anti-Israel propaganda.

PS. Psalm 91

Posted by: Mila Kafir at Jan 3, 2009 9:07:33 PM

Please keep your informative work up. Good luck.

Posted by: Chas Newkey-Burden at Jan 3, 2009 9:07:33 PM

We must support Israel. The Israelis even dropped leaflets and called Palestinians to warn of the need to leave their neighborhoods to avoid getting hurt.

Like everyone has said, if we changed the scenario to the U.S. versus a hostile neighbor and used the same ratio of victims in each country, we'd have thousands of dead. And we never sit back and do nothing.

Posted by: Ruth Sklar at Jan 4, 2009 12:28:26 AM

Dear Honest Reporting,

Thank you very much indeed for your Special Reports they are EXCELLENT ! I am forwarding them on to as many people as I can who want to know the truth. Thank you for bringing it to us. Bless you in all you are doing and may HaShem watch over you and protect you and your Families.

Anne Nelson

Posted by: Anne Nelson at Jan 4, 2009 8:24:58 PM