Israel Has Been Painted Poorly

I've been painting animals and designs on cardboard all week in preparation for kid's camp, and so I thought a painting analogy would suit me well...

I can't claim to be any expert on current events, but I will say that Israel has been made out to be the bad guys.  The media portrays Israel in such a bad light, comparing the death toll between Gaza and Israel as if that's all we really need to know and implying that the one with the higher number is the real victim.  Honestly, Gaza is a victim... but not of Israel...

Gaza  has lost many; Israel, only 18 soldiers and some casualties.  But let's look at why.

First of all, Hamas, a terrorist group which is located in various places in the Middle East and also governs Gaza has been constantly making it rain rockets over Israel for the past month.  They have terrible aim, but they are purposely shooting in the direction of major cities and populated areas with intent to kill civilians.  Thankfully, Israel has an amazing defense system called the Iron Dome, which has a success rate of 90% (which means they have intercepted most of the hundreds of rockets streaming into the country).  When that happens, as a government, what do you do?  Should you just sit there and let all your resources and money drain into this very expensive defense system and let your economy come to ruin?  Should you sit there and take it and show all your other enemies that you will do nothing if they all gang up and attack you?  No.  You take strategic action.  You take out those rocket launchers.  You secure safety.

I don't know about you, but someone shooting rockets into your country with intent to kill--even if they don't end up killing anyone--is still a threat to your safety.  When I heard a siren, and waited to see if I was going to be blown up, my life was changed.  I suddenly became personally involved.  I don't care who you are, this is NOT okay.  Something must be done.

Israeli's are used to it now.  But that's not something that a person should be used to. 

So Israel has taken action.  They have returned fire.  The problem is that Hamas is shooting their rockets from elementary schools, public libraries, neighborhoods.  They know Israel values life.  So, what has Israel done to avoid taking those lives?  They give warning shots.  They give people fifteen minutes to evacuate.  They drop leaflets in the areas they intend to bomb, informing the civilians to get out of there.  They have even texted families beforehand.  What does Hamas do?  They tell their people to stand on the rooftops to protect their launching pads.  The people of Gaza are torn between saving their own skins and obeying their government.  Hamas doesn't give a rip about the people they govern,  They only care about saving their resources in order to destroy Israel.  And so, Israel follows through with what they have said, and many lose their lives.  Gazans (is that how you say it?) are victims to their own government. 

It's terribly sad.  We should really pray for the Gazans.

To avoid further death tolls, Israel has taken to ground action.  And now Israelis are dying.

I don't understand anti-Semitism.  It's like a disease that has infected people who shouldn't even care so much about Jews.  I, mean, let's be honest, it's the size of New Jersey.  Since when did the world care so much about it?  Riots in France against Israel?  It's like it came out of nowhere.  Why do people hate Jews so much?  Haven't they been through enough?!  I foresee a huge debate on facebook coming up to answer this question.  But, why are people so focused on Israel, when there are terrorist groups like ISIS taking over huge areas of the Middle East, who are committing unthinkable atrocities to their people and plan to infiltrate and terrorize the United States?  They're already in Arizona (read about that here: http://mobile.wnd.com/2014/07/new-border-risk-isis-ties-to-mexican-drug-lords/)!  Why get so angry over Israel, when there are even worse problems on the horizon? 

Anti-Semitism = Racism.  Racism and prejudice are ugly.

Americans who buy into how the media is painting the picture are just ignorant and don't really have a right to an opinion on this matter.  Maybe that sounds harsh, but most people don't really do their homework, and so they form an opinion based on one little snippet they saw on TV.  Those people shouldn't be saying anything. 

Now is a time when Israel really needs support.  If you love Israel and want to do something, show your support.  They think Americans have abandoned them because all they are seeing on the news is riots against Israel, and Barack Obama disrespecting Netanyahu.  But if there was any time to show support to Israel, now would be it.  I don't know what that really means right now.  One Canadian sent thousands of toys to Jewish kids.  Not everyone can do that, nor should they necessarily.  But I mean, if you feel so led, and if you have the means, do something.

I'm still pondering what that means for me.