Turn the Tables on Gaza's Terrorists

Israel should launch a large-scale and prolonged ground offensive into Gaza with the aim of uprooting the terrorist infrastructure once and for all. The longer we wait, the greater the chances are that a stray Palestinian rocket will kill untold numbers of Israelis.
For the second time in the past year, Palestinian terrorists in Gaza have fired a longer-range missile into Israel. And for the second time in the past year, Israel's government failed to respond.

In today's incident, a group called the Popular Resistance Committee fired a Russian-made Grad missile from Gaza toward the southern Israeli town of Netivot, which is located some 11 kilometers away. Last year, a Grad missile struck the marina at Ashkelon.

Just four months ago, it was reported in the media that IDF intelligence believes that Hamas and its terrorist cohorts have 50-odd such Grad rockets in Gaza, which have a range of up to 22 kilometers. This of course is in addition to the Qassam rockets, mortar shells and other projectiles that the terrorists have been firing at the Jewish state on a near-daily basis.

Today's attack marks a serious escalation, and it can not be allowed to pass without a response. The government's failure to react not only undermines Israel's deterrence posture (or the little that remains of it...), but it also invites the terrorists to continue with their assaults, secure in the knowledge that they can act with virtual impunity.

Israel should launch a large-scale and prolonged ground offensive into Gaza with the aim of uprooting the terrorist infrastructure once and for all. The longer we wait, the greater the chances are that a stray Palestinian rocket will kill untold numbers of Israelis.

Sadly, the people suffering the most are the tens of thousands of Israelis living in the south of the country. Their daily life has become infused with terror and trauma. It is time to change all that, and to turn the tables on our foes. If anyone should be living in fear, it is the terrorists who fire the projectiles, rather than those who are their targets.

On Palestinian "Moderation"

It should be obvious by now that the only difference between "moderate" and "extreme" Palestinians is one of style, not substance
It seems the celebration in the media was premature.

Over the weekend, the Left rejoiced after reports that the political platform of the new Palestinian government did not include the word "resistance" - which was code for terrorism against Israel.

This development, it was asserted, demonstrates once and for all that the "moderate" government of Palestinian Prime Minister Salem Fayad is a partner Israel can work with.

But those claims were quickly deflated by none other than Fayad himself.

Speaking to reporters in Cairo, Fayad reaffirmed that Palestinians have the right to use violence against Israel. "Resistance is a legitimate right for the Palestinian people," he said. Plain, simple and clear.

It should be obvious by now that the only difference between "moderate" and "extreme" Palestinians is one of style, not substance. Their goals are the same, as are their tactics, and we do ourselves and our future a great disservice when we delude ourselves into thinking otherwise.

G-d Bless Dick Cheney!

Unlike the softies in the US State Department, Cheney understands the threat posed by Iran's nuclear ambitions
The media hate him, the Left loves to demonize him, but I say: thank G-d for US Vice President Dick Cheney.

Unlike the softies in the US State Department, Cheney understands the threat posed by Iran's nuclear ambitions, and he appreciates the need for stronger measures to confront them.

Diplomacy has thus far failed to slow down Iran's drive to get The Bomb, but that hasn't stopped Condi Rice and her team from pressing for more talks, more empty UN resolutions, and more toothless sanctions against Teheran.

But if this article from yesterday's Guardian proves accurate, then it could very well be that Cheney has now prevailed over Rice in the internal White House debate - meaning that military action against Iran may become a reality.

According to the Guardian, "The vice-president, Dick Cheney, has long favoured upping the threat of military action against Iran. He is being resisted by the secretary of state, Condoleezza Rice, and the defence secretary, Robert Gates. Last year Mr Bush came down in favour of Ms Rice, who along with Britain, France and Germany has been putting a diplomatic squeeze on Iran. But at a meeting of the White House, Pentagon and state department last month, Mr Cheney expressed frustration at the lack of progress and Mr Bush sided with him."

It should be clear by now that force is the only way to stop the would-be Hitler of Persia from achieving his dastardly aims.

Thank G-d that Cheney is pushing this line, and let's hope it truly does become US policy, and soon.......