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Crisis in Gaza: The Israeli Point of View

(New York Times) Israeli UN Ambassador Danny Danon - The New York Times editorial, "A Test for Israel in Gaza" (April 4), doesn't mention, or minimizes, basic facts that led to the situation in Gaza. First, we withdrew entirely from the Gaza Strip in August 2005, removing every Israeli resident, home, factory and synagogue. We are not responsible for the well-being of the people of Gaza. Second, the restrictions that exist on Gaza are not the cause of the situation there but rather a result of Hamas' refusal to renounce violence. This is not Israel's condition, but rather that put forward by the U.S., EU and UN as part of the Quartet framework. If there were no terror, there would be no restrictions. Finally, the fence that was attacked over the last week separates a sovereign, democratic state and a murderous terrorist entity. Our security forces acted judiciously, and a vast majority of those killed were terrorists who have been identified as members of Hamas. These were not "peaceful protests." Every critic of Israel must ask himself how he would expect the security forces of his own country to react if terrorists armed with rifles and Molotov cocktails began to march on his country's border. It is the peak of hypocrisy for the international community to criticize Israel while ignoring the real factors causing pain and suffering to the innocent people of Gaza.
2018-04-05 00:00:00
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