For the past couple of years, I haven't felt like even reading the paper. Not only because the news was so bad, but because there has been absolutely no leadership. Not here in America and especially not in Israel. That, folks, has bothered me.

Finally, the politicians - not statesmen - who have been at the helm in Israel seem to have awakened. I was

The benevolent guys from the United Nations were thrilled.

astounded to see that, finally, they remembered the 'rule of retaliation'. Someone must have told them that a country being attacked by vicious terrorists, day after day, year after year, actually has the right to fight back.

The timing of their incursion into Gaza was brilliant. Everyone has been so busy in celebrating their holiday season that I could hardly find any news about what was happening in the Middle East.

However, I also noticed that many of the journalists who were reporting on the "war in Gaza" had Arab names and were anything but impartial in their reporting. I found their reactions so predictable they were almost comical. For instance, the Los Angeles Times had an article by two Arab journalists who wrote, "The mounting toll of civilians has alarmed world leaders. Prompting what they call a disproportionate response to Hamas attack..." And, those leaders "urge renewal of a truce that unraveled last month."

Let's see, how did it "unravel"? Could it be that Hamas absolutely, positively refused to stop the terrorist attacks or to stop lobbing their steady stream of missiles into nearby Israeli towns?

The benevolent guys from the United Nations were thrilled when their leader, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, was quoted as saying, "I have continuously stressed the need for a strict observance of international humanitarian law." I don't think so. This group is usually ready to pass out sweets and candies whenever Israel is attacked. In six years, I don't remember one comment, much less "demand", that the Palestinians should stop their constant bombing of Israeli towns. Do any of your remember any of their emergency meetings?

The Israelis do everything they can to avoid hitting civilians, while the Palestinian enemy sets up shop and mortars in the middle of busy civilian streets, hospitals and schools. The mosques that I'm delighted to see are finally being bombed are usually weapons warehouses. Frankly, I don't give a diddly-squat. As politically incorrect as I tend to be, I'd move them all out and keep the lights turned off. The only humanitarian aid I'd give would be to help them pack and get out. Transfer? It's not the dirty word it once was and I'm all for it.

The only humanitarian aid I'd give would be to help them pack and get out.

Frankly, I find it difficult to feel any remorse for a people that elected an organization with a goal of destroying Israel. Hamas won the Palestinian parliamentary elections in 2006, while Western governments have shunned it as a terrorist organization. Not the least of all because of its constant refusal to change its charter, which is devoted to the demise of Israel, and to formally accept Israel's right to exist.

I was in Beirut for a few weeks during the Lebanon War in June of 1982. And in Gaza as a journalist, posing as a "Christian writer" (because sometimes I'm too curious for my own good). The impression that remains with me is the boredom and hate-filled eyes of the children. Truly, I have never seen such "old eyes" on kids in my life. All the teenagers seemed to have to do was to burn tires. I remember driving into Gaza with an Arab cab driver, and even his car was stoned. And speaking of that, the older ones were sitting around everywhere smoking that "laughing water". I believe they are trained from birth as terrorists. I remember when Egypt was offered Gaza - and they didn't want it.

Barack Obama says he is a strong ally of Israel, despite rumors that he would be more receptive to the Palestinian position. During the election, I was appalled that the Jewish community here was the financial base of his success. I won't even go into my disgust over the Israeli community here; they told me non-stop how politically incorrect I was. It was an election that you lost friends over. Now, nothing would make me happier to say that I was wrong. It's happened before - my being wrong, that is.

But one thing I'm sure of. No matter what, Israel shouldn't give any credence to what the world has to say when it comes to the Jewish state defending itself. I know what would happen if the residents of Tijuana would suddenly start lobbing rockets into San Diego.

Amazingly, I know that what "they" think is always such a big issue. And, I'll admit, a few years back it was a big concern. But that, folks, that was before the rest of the world found out what the Jews have known about the

Who knows, maybe I'm wrong about Ehud Olmert.

culture of Islam for a long, long time. Then, the news reports and radio talk shows were dominated by the "plight of the poor Palestinians". Since then, however, the Sunday people have experienced the terrorist attacks also, and now realize what a cruel and barbaric nation the Jews are dealing with in this war.

Instead of hearing about the use of "excessive" force, I'm listening to the reporters and call-in stations expound on how every country has the right to defend itself. Even Israel! I'm not hearing a lot of sympathy for the Arab side this time around.

The same way that I could even be wrong about Obama, who knows, maybe I'm wrong about Ehud Olmert. This man, disgraced by corruption charges, has surprised me. Maybe the Three Stooges (Olmert-Livni-Barak) learned from the past war in Lebanon. At least, so far they've seemed to put a muzzle on Shimon Peres.

"This is something I never even dreamed of," said a Gazan who only gave his name as Samch. "We expected some retaliation from Israel, but not like this."

Well, to tell the truth, neither did I. But I couldn't be more delighted. Israel is finally back.