Equivocating terrorism

Editorial

Imagine the reaction of the Canadian government if a systematic attack on this country were perpetrated by terrorists infiltrating our cities, specifically targeting locations where innocent Canadians congregate, even going to perverse lengths to ensure that festive celebrations, such as holiday dinners, and jovial recreation are turned into blood-soaked tragedies.

How long would it take Canada to mobilize every resource it has and to call on its every ally to back it up in a major offensive against the murderers? Not nearly as long as Israel waited to invade the nests of killers being harbored in the Palestinian Authority-controlled lands.

It remains to be seen what positive impacts might flow from Israeli actions in the West Bank. Perhaps no long-term goals will be advanced. But one thing is certain: Israel could not continue to turn the other cheek. It had to stop allowing terrorists to believe that it is a sitting duck ready to put up with no limit of violence.

There is a debate among the pundits right now over whether Israel’s retraction from the West Bank this week was motivated by international pressure (mostly American) or because they had accomplished what they expected to accomplish there. We hope it was the latter.

Yes, there is a propaganda war and it must be fought. But there is a real war and it is far more important to succeed at the latter. Israel must do what is necessary to protect its citizens and the integrity of its borders. It is nice when world opinion is with Israel though, unfortunately, world opinion is usually with Israel only when it is seen as a victim.

World opinion probably matters more to Diaspora Jews than it does to Israelis. We have to live among the media condemnations and argue these points with ignorant neighbors.

The contradictory nonsense that has come from Canada’s Foreign Affairs Minister Bill Graham in recent weeks is a perfect example of why Israel cannot guide its actions based on the whims of overseas “friends.” Israel is in a fight for survival and, in the midst of a worldwide so-called War on Terrorism, we must learn the difference between national defence and barbarous terror. How clear does it need to be? Israel=Twin Towers. PLO=Al Qaeda.

^TOP