Where was this international conscience and outrage when Hamas missiles were falling on Israeli cities and towns?
It was with Israel (and still is, to a large degree).
But also, these actions were perceived as ants and mosquitos annoying an elephant: a nuisance problem.
That's how I think the international community viewed that.
I understand now that the Hamas attacks had recently racheted up a notch, which is something I'm not sure too many people were aware of.
But you must understand that just as conservatives tend to identify with strength, with top dogs, with victors, liberals have a parallel but opposite tendency to identify with outclassed underdogs. And the world is trending toward liberalism right now, after a decade of leaning right.
If militant Islamic extremism is an enemy to be battled (and it
is, if they wish to wipe jews off the planet), then the war against it must be waged in the hearts and minds of the people.
It cannot be vanquished with military might.
That only strengthens it, since it hardens the people's hearts against the West and against Israel.
Every time the West has used some show of force against them, killed some civilians, damaged their infrastructures, this has backfired.
They cannot be defeated or kept in check with force and threats of force.
They know that any show of force on the part of the West only makes them (the Islamic extremists) stronger by bringing them more support from formerly moderate muslims.
Israel and the West must show patience and forebearance in order to truly win this war and effect a lasting peace. Let the palestinian people see for themselves that Hamas is wrong about Israel. They
were starting to see that, to believe it.
But now they've hardened again, because israel has killed their children and destroyed their infrastructure.
This has only assured that hamas ranks will swell, that support for them will grow, that there will be no end to this for years to come.
You can't kill them
all. You must win the hearts of the palestinian people. This action Israel's taking will do the exact opposite.
I'm not trying to be insulting, but that's how I feel about it.