Blood from a terror victim hit by a rocket launched from Gaza at a southern Israeli community. Photo: IDF.

Over the last few months, hundreds of rockets have been fired at Israeli cities. The world was silent. The UN didn’t say a word. Abu Mazen didn’t get involved even though Netanyahu presented Hamas with chance after chance for a cease-fire.

Israelis have only ourselves to blame for ignoring the fact that hundreds of missiles have been fired at our cities. As a result, the world has become used to the fact that a million Israeli citizens live under the threat of rockets almost every day. It is unfortunate that neither the Americans, British or the French discuss this reality.

Israel cannot continue to operate this way. We must take a role of leadership and responsibility, and make the hard decisions that will allow us to secure our future. We must eradicate Hamas from the top down and create an opening to start educating Palestinian Arab children in a different way. We must stop Hamas leaders and at the same time, begin to educate the children in Gaza not to hate, bringing them a message of hope.

Today, the IDF killed Hamas Military Chief Ahmed al-Jabari, a terrorist responsible for the kidnapping of Gilad Shalit. Immediately following, Abu Mazen condemned the action of Israel, and Mohamed Morsi asked his ambassador in Israel to head back to Egypt, calling the killing of a high profile terrorist, a massacre. Following the event, dozens of rockets have been fired at Israeli cities and Hamas has threatened to burn our towns.

Benjamin Netanyahu, in the name of victims of terror from around the world and in the name of many Israelis, I am calling upon you to finish what you began. It won’t be easy, and definitely won’t be short, but there is a need to take action and to stop Hamas. This is essential for the safety of Israel and the world. This can only be achieved by halting the hate education of children in Gaza and the West Bank.

Gaza is a haven for terrorism. It’s time to change it into a land of hope. For the people in Gaza who want to live in peace and for the Israelis that seek it every day.

Jacob Kimchy is a speaker, activist and consultant for non-profit organizations around the world. He is currently the Founder and Executive Director of One Heart One Hope, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping and connecting victims of terrorism and their families across the world.