I acknowledge whole-heartedly upon writing this entry that I am a Jewish American who is the granddaughter of a woman who was a STAUNCH Zionist. I am also a human being that is compassionate and cares about those who are different than me. I have traveled to Israel and back when it was safe, actually walked into the West Bank and celebrated peace in the home of strangers who were kind and welcomed me and my young American friends.
The struggles that our Middle Eastern friends are facing right now are at a critical mass. The stakes are high for both sides and it is very easy for anyone watching the news to believe that Israel is a “terrorist state on par with North Korea” as I heard today. But the story is not so clear. And the news (suprise!) is not so fair.
Here’s the thing, any leeway that Israel gives to Hammas equals giving a ransom to a kidnapper. It sends a message that aiming bombs into the Holy Land will result in peace-keeping conversations. Is the irony not obvious? There is no room for negotiations here when bombs are being thrown.
Without commenting further on the conflict because I do believe that both sides are fighting for what they believe in most… I will say that it is hard to be an American that supports Israel and to watch the news. As has been said repeatedly over the last week, Israel is losing the PR war and it scares me that there are WORLD-WIDE demonstrations against the State of Israel taking place.
These are HUGE issues. Bigger than the average American is aware and more paramount to the people LIVING in the Middle East than anyone watching the news can understand. Those we love can make mistakes, and I recognize that Israel is not doing well explaining themselves.
I urge you to consider a different perspective on why Israel is strategically trying to take out the Hammas leaders it has targeted. If Jerusalem and the Jewish State is their child, then the Israeli Defense Forces are the parents willing to do anything to protect their young. I understand it. I would never want anyone to have to die… so much blood has already been spilled in the Negev… but there is no room for negotiation.
Related posts:
Janelle K. Eagle is infamous for always having her hands tied up in multiple projects simultaneously. She's directed a lot of theater, worked on some films, and raised lots of money for non-profits. She travels all the time and loves to share her videos, photography and writing via this blog. 
You might be interested in a new site some of my friends are involved in: http://helpuswin.wordpress.com/ – it’s a site devoted to showing support for Israel and helping to win the PR-related battle that Israel is waging now…
I cannot stress enough that everybody should take whatever media source they listen to with a grain of salt and understand there is always more to any story the media reports. With that being said, I agree with my sister; the violence over there is appalling, but unfortunately will be necessary until bombs stop being thrown.
Israel is losing a PR battle, but the one thing that seems to be lost in the mix is that there was a 6 month cease fire agreement between Hamas and Israel; a cease fire that Israel had voted to EXTEND when it was about to expire. Hamas let it expire and then immediately began firing rockets back into Israel. Is it any wonder why the IDF (Israeli Defense Force) is reacting the way it is?
Well said Janelle.:) You echo my sentiments.
Truly,
Jamie
Thank you for presenting the issues with restraint; the situation is very sobering. A rational, democratic nation in a struggle with thugs who have a death wish and who don’t mind bringing their brethren down with them! This has been described as a “proxy war” with Iran, and that fact needs to be illuminated… I wish Israel all good fortune in a difficult time.