JNS.org – The images from Gaza making the rounds across the globe are the product of a well-planned campaign by Hamas’ public-relations wizards. Every wounded Palestinian is a cog in a well-oiled machine. Every person killed is more fuel for the flames of Hamas’ incitement.

The agitated Palestinian masses, ruthlessly oppressed by a terrorist organization that for more than a decade has squashed any chance or hope for a better future, are nothing more than cannon fodder in the eyes of Hamas’ leaders. Not only do they send brainwashed children to breach the border fence to sow destruction and spill Israeli blood, but also to be killed in order to exploit their deaths. In complete contrast to Israel, Hamas welcomes either outcome — the murder of Israelis or the deaths of Gazans.

The time has come for the international community to realize that when it condemns Israel, it plays into this destructive equation.

Israelis learned this a long time ago. And still, the world refuses to understand that when the Palestinians say “days of rage” what they mean is “days of terror.” When Palestinians say “right of return,” what they mean is “destruction of Israel.” And when they say “peaceful demonstrations,” what they mean is “incitement and violence.” Vandalizing and burning the Kerem Shalom border crossing — a vital artery for the passage of goods and humanitarian aid to Gaza — is just another example of Hamas’ utter lack of concern for the welfare of Gaza’s residents.

If tens of thousands of rioters armed with incendiary weapons and explosive devices swarmed the border of another country, all the preaching and calls for restraint would evaporate into thin air. No sovereign nation would behave differently and we can even assume the casualty figures would be exponentially higher in other countries.

While the United States under Donald Trump is fully cognizant of these facts and sees the reality clearly, many around the world would rather be deceived by the Palestinian leadership and Hamas’ cynical, brutal manipulation. Using the transfer of the US embassy to Jerusalem as an excuse or justification for Palestinian violence doesn’t pass the reality test. The embassy issue is simply the latest in an endless list of Palestinian excuses for violence against Israel.

For precisely this reason, the historic relocation of the US embassy was a necessary, correct step in confronting Palestinian terror and threats. Israel knows that it cannot acquiesce to Hamas’ campaign of terror and violent propaganda. It will continue presenting the facts and the truth, and continue defending itself at all costs.

Danny Danon is Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations.

The opinions presented by Algemeiner bloggers are solely theirs and do not represent those of The Algemeiner, its publishers or editors. If you would like to share your views with a blog post on The Algemeiner, please be in touch through our Contact page.