In 2005, Israel withdrew from Gaza, evacuating 9,000 Israeli settlers and military forces from the Gaza Strip. The Oslo Accords gave the Palestinian Authority administrative authority over the area. Both the Gaza Strip and the West Bank are two contested Palestinian areas that were part of Mandate Palestine and were captured by Israel during the Six-Day War in 1967. Only Gaza had been given back. This experiment in Palestinian self-rule has proved that they cannot be trusted.
In a visit to Israel in 2006, I remember hearing an Israeli who was forced to give up his land in Gaza describe how he hired Palestinian workers he respected and tried to treat fairly. When he was forced to leave, he gave his land to his workers. Within weeks the PLO confiscated the land from his workers. There was one reason—they wanted Palestinians to be dependent on them for everything they needed.
The world wanted to believe that the Palestinians would be responsible stewards of the land they were given. It is clear after the most recent attack that many of their citizens are savages driven by hatred for their Israeli neighbors. The rapes, the killings of the elderly and children, the hostages taken and now subject to execution speak volumes about the evil they let rule in their hearts.
In response, Israel has already increased airstrikes on the Gaza Strip and sealed it off from food, fuel, and other supplies in retaliation for a bloody incursion by Hamas militants. It‘s clear that the war's death toll will continue to grow on both sides. In spite of calls from some politicians for a ceasefire, Israel has no such plans. Evil must be defeated, not rewarded.
Not only should Israel, with support of the free world, destroy any Hamas leaders and soldiers involved in this recent attack. In doing so, they should once again take control of Gaza and establish a new government ready to outlaw Hamas and support responsible world citizenship. If Palestinian leaders in Gaza cannot control their hatred, they must be eliminated and replaced by a new governing body who will live in peace with their neighbors.
Those calling for a ceasefire and premature peace only perpetuate the instability of the Middle East. Gaza is a mere 25 miles long and up to six miles wide. It will be defeated. Yes, there will be hostages killed because freeing them is all but impossible in the present situation. Door to door fighting is difficult with an enemy that does not value life or have moral restraints in waging war on Israel.
Let Israel eliminate Hamas, and America should make it clear that any country who helps Hamas should know that they will be held accountable for the recent atrocities. Not only must the United States position our forces in the area; we must be ready to use those forces to support good over evil. At least 11 US citizens have been killed and no one knows how many American hostages have been taken.
Our current administration must do more than just offer verbal statements of support for Israel. They should stop supporting Iran in any way. It’s time to freeze the funds promised in the hostage deal and reimplement the economic sanctions on Iran. If there is clear evidence of Iran’s involvement, they must pay a heavy price for that support.
While the world is fixated on the Middle East, Homeland Security must be aware of potential terrorists who may have used the open border to enter the U.S. There are indications that hundreds have done so, and those are the ones who have been identified. Israel was caught unaware. After 9/11, America should remember how motivated terrorists can be. We promised never to forget. Let’s show them that we have learned from our painful past. Find them and deport them out of our country.
We also have a number of former Palestinians in America demonstrating in support of the Hamas attack. In America, they have the freedom to express their views, but they are not free from the consequences of such demonstrations. They must be shamed for supporting such savage assaults on innocents. Their rabid support deserves an even stronger condemnation from responsible citizens. It’s time for America to support Israel in taking back Gaza to help end this madness.
Terry Paulson is PhD psychologist, author, and professional speaker on Earned Optimism, Making Change Work, Claiming Your American Dream, and Becoming a Conservative Values Voter. Contact him at terry@terrypaulson.com.