ISRAEL UNDER ATTACK

As has always been the case, Israel is either under attack from terrorists or from its critics. Rockets poured from Gaza on Israel, while the Op-Ed pages and the so-called diplomats drop their bombs from the pages of otherwise respected newspapers and journals. Either way, Israel is under attack and, we, of all people, understand why even as we question "why?"

We all read what passes for "fair criticism" of Israel in the daily press -- both in alleged "new" stories and in a constant stream of op-eds and statements ranging from Secretary Clinton, to the UN Secretary General (who appears to be nothing more than a grinning empty suit) to the European Union --and one has to ask what is the definition of "fair" when it comes to Israel? And, Israel's faux "friends" -- the Beinarts, Tom Friedmans (whose latest attack on Prime Minister Netanyahu [asserting that the Likud is now the captive of evermore right wing politicians] is the height of the very arrogance of which he accuses the PM), the J-Streeters and their claques -- who only find fault with Israeli policies...unless...

Unless...the answer is no different today than over the decades of Israel's existence -- when Israel is giving up territory that is lawfully Israel's, Israel is applauded: but the applause is always short-lived and always accompanied by demands for more... more and more. But, has there ever...ever...been a demand made of the Palestinians? For example: even the most minimum -- recognize Israel as a Jewish State? Or: make one...any...reasonable peace proposal? But, no, the claque never makes a demand of the Palestinians -- for through some perverted logic that defies reason, they are the "peacemakers."

Even before President Obama demanded that "peace" be based on Israel's return to the "1967 borders plus adjustments," Israeli leaders, including Prime  Minister Netanyahu, had agreed to negotiate based upon that formulation. But, you would never know it from the cacophony (emphasis on "phony") from the claque. When Israel, finally out of patience with the daily rocket bombardments from the Terrorists weapons on Israel's South, with precise, target attacks on Gaza's Terrorists, you would never have known that fact from the claque. 

And, then there are the ridiculous scoldings writ large on the editorial pages. Take the New York Times (please!!). On December 4, the Times identified Mahmoud Abbas as "the only credible peace negotiator." Such is Israel's lot. When the Israeli Government agreed to a lengthy development freeze, we recall that "peace negotiator Abbas" couldn't bring himself even to the negotiating table even though that freeze was the "precondition" that he had demanded. 

I, like so many of you, have visited Israel over 70 times. I have heard one thing on every one of my visits -- Israelis and their leaders want to live in peace with their neighbors and within the family of nations. I have heard teenagers singing of and praying side-by-side with their parents for peace as we we cried at their pain. We have visited the homes of so many grieving over lost sons and daughters while the world outside condemns Israel for defending her People.

It's all so sad.

Rwexler