It's odd when one considers that, in these turbulent times of catch phrases and words such as "Al-Qa?eda" and "war on terrorism", that the phrase most acted upon now is one that is rarely ever stated aloud: ?Silence is golden.?
Zimbabwe's president Robert Mugabe continues his campaign of totalitarianism and horror. Much of the international press has been silenced and expelled. Local press reports now have to be approved by the government or their authors may face ten years in prison. White residents are being murdered for owning land and black residents of the country are being suppressed for being themselves and holding certain political views. Yet, while the European Union has threatened sanctions, the world sits silent, turning a cheek and hoping things will pass.
China has begun a forced relocation of over one million people. Their towns are needed to hold flood waters from the almost complete "Three Gorges Dam". Although an overwhelming ninety-five percent of the residents asked, begged and pleaded not to have to leave, their cries fell on deaf ears and their homes blown up. A great deal less then two thirds of the government actually voted in favor of the relocation, but president Jiang Zemin felt that no one could or can stand in the way of progress. Less then two percent of the million residents have received compensation and hundreds of thousands are being forced to move to new areas thousands of miles away. Still, the world sits quietly, turning the other cheek with their lips tightly sealed.
A Palestinian gunman enters a banquet hall and opens fire with an automatic M-16 rifle. At the same time, he lobs grenades into the crowded room, where a Jewish girl's coming of age party is occurring. The girl, a recent immigrant from the former Soviet Union, loses her grandfather and five family friends. Within four hours, the story has come and gone through world media. The world has once again chosen to remain silent.
The Israeli army moves into a Palestinian controlled area. They call ahead and inform the Palestinian authority that they will be blowing up a building, so that the PLO has a chance to remove any innocent bystanders. The building, which housed "The Voice of Palestine Radio", was being used to broadcast hate of and to incite violence against Israel. After a four hour sweep of the area that made sure everyone was well away, the building was leveled.
Now the voice of the world is heard! "Israelis are terrorists," booms Syria. "The Israeli army is a brutal occupying force," yells the European Union. "Israel is in direct violation of UN charters and treaties," announces the United Nations.
America blows up a building in Afghanistan as "a preventative measure." Israel blows up a building in Tul Karem and it is "a violent terrorist act." Is there any rationale to explain the aforementioned dichotomy? Is the world insane or just those who are running it?
If the aforementioned examples, taken from thousands of others, can teach Israel anything, it is that world opinion is severely confused. Whether it is out of jealousy, misunderstanding or for economic reasons, most of the world can find a reason to condemn or hate or dislike Israel and its people. Israel has to take a stand, once and for all. Enough is finally enough!
The Duke of Wellington, who overcame Napoleon's French army, perhaps one of the most powerful armies of all time, said that "tactics win battles, but strategies win wars." Israel's tactics of Palestinian concrete for Jewish blood is growing tiresome. Israel should do whatever is necessary, including banning foreign media and forced relocation, to protect its citizens. The voice of the world can remain silent or it can cry out until it is hoarse, but for once it must fall upon deaf ears. Israel can not afford to listen anymore, it is costing Israel too much time and too many lives.
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Michael Recht is a university student from Ontario, Canada.
Zimbabwe's president Robert Mugabe continues his campaign of totalitarianism and horror. Much of the international press has been silenced and expelled. Local press reports now have to be approved by the government or their authors may face ten years in prison. White residents are being murdered for owning land and black residents of the country are being suppressed for being themselves and holding certain political views. Yet, while the European Union has threatened sanctions, the world sits silent, turning a cheek and hoping things will pass.
China has begun a forced relocation of over one million people. Their towns are needed to hold flood waters from the almost complete "Three Gorges Dam". Although an overwhelming ninety-five percent of the residents asked, begged and pleaded not to have to leave, their cries fell on deaf ears and their homes blown up. A great deal less then two thirds of the government actually voted in favor of the relocation, but president Jiang Zemin felt that no one could or can stand in the way of progress. Less then two percent of the million residents have received compensation and hundreds of thousands are being forced to move to new areas thousands of miles away. Still, the world sits quietly, turning the other cheek with their lips tightly sealed.
A Palestinian gunman enters a banquet hall and opens fire with an automatic M-16 rifle. At the same time, he lobs grenades into the crowded room, where a Jewish girl's coming of age party is occurring. The girl, a recent immigrant from the former Soviet Union, loses her grandfather and five family friends. Within four hours, the story has come and gone through world media. The world has once again chosen to remain silent.
The Israeli army moves into a Palestinian controlled area. They call ahead and inform the Palestinian authority that they will be blowing up a building, so that the PLO has a chance to remove any innocent bystanders. The building, which housed "The Voice of Palestine Radio", was being used to broadcast hate of and to incite violence against Israel. After a four hour sweep of the area that made sure everyone was well away, the building was leveled.
Now the voice of the world is heard! "Israelis are terrorists," booms Syria. "The Israeli army is a brutal occupying force," yells the European Union. "Israel is in direct violation of UN charters and treaties," announces the United Nations.
America blows up a building in Afghanistan as "a preventative measure." Israel blows up a building in Tul Karem and it is "a violent terrorist act." Is there any rationale to explain the aforementioned dichotomy? Is the world insane or just those who are running it?
If the aforementioned examples, taken from thousands of others, can teach Israel anything, it is that world opinion is severely confused. Whether it is out of jealousy, misunderstanding or for economic reasons, most of the world can find a reason to condemn or hate or dislike Israel and its people. Israel has to take a stand, once and for all. Enough is finally enough!
The Duke of Wellington, who overcame Napoleon's French army, perhaps one of the most powerful armies of all time, said that "tactics win battles, but strategies win wars." Israel's tactics of Palestinian concrete for Jewish blood is growing tiresome. Israel should do whatever is necessary, including banning foreign media and forced relocation, to protect its citizens. The voice of the world can remain silent or it can cry out until it is hoarse, but for once it must fall upon deaf ears. Israel can not afford to listen anymore, it is costing Israel too much time and too many lives.
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Michael Recht is a university student from Ontario, Canada.