One year after Operation Cast Lead, Israel is undoubtedly safer. Hamas maintains their stranglehold on the people of Gaza but last year’s operation was able to neutralize their attack capabilities while minimizing collateral damage. But we’re not out of the woods just yet.
In 2009, 390 rockets were launched at Israel. Of these, 85 hit our soil. For any other country, a year of 85 incoming rockets would be apocalyptic. For Israel, this is relative calm. Thankfully, the lack of sophisticated navigation means that most of their attacks do not result in casualties. Nevertheless, Israel cannot stand by and wait for the next school to be struck by Hamas’ crude but deadly weaponry.
We don’t know what another country would do in this situation, but the current status quo is not acceptable. God forbid one of these rockets takes a human life and the current situation will degrade very quickly. Every government’s primary responsibility is to protect is citizenry, and if the public demands action, its elected officials have a duty to listen. The psychology of indiscriminate terror means that anyone and everyone is a target. A single death caused by Hamas has the power to grip millions in fear.
The drizzle of rockets, mortars and missiles needs to stop before it renews the unnecessary cycle of violence.
Joel Lion is the Spokesperson and Consul for Media Affairs at the Consulate General of Israel in New York
