The following is an official statement from Cincinnati's Jewish Community Relations Council, JCRC, regarding recent developments in Gaza.
JCRC Statement on Recent Developments in Gaza
In order to understand Israel’s recent military response in the Gaza Strip – and why our own government has responded so quickly in support of Israel’s actions - it is important to remember that Israeli citizens have for years been living under the constant threat of daily rocket fire emanating from Gaza. 2008 witnessed a record number of more then 2,900 rockets and mortar shells aimed at Israeli civilians.
In response to these attacks, and as a measure of self-defense, Israel targeted its response narrowly against Hamas security and operational headquarters in the Gaza Strip. Israel’s stated objective is to strike a blow at Hamas’s ability to continue these unwarranted attacks on Israeli population centers.
The White House called upon Hamas to “stop launching rockets against Israel.” According to a White House Spokesman, “The United States holds Hamas responsible for breaking the ceasefire. We understand that Israel is reacting to the hundreds of rockets that have been fired on the innocent people of Israel over the last few days.”
The Government of Israel did not arrive lightly at the decision to take military action; however, it is carrying out the responsibility all governments have to protect their citizens from daily attacks.
Since Hamas – the terrorist organization in control of Gaza – declared an end to the six-month “State of Calm” agreement on December 19 - Palestinians have fired more than 200 rockets and mortars at civilian targets inside of Israel. These actions are consistent with Hamas’s avowed goal of Israel’s destruction.
Whenever Israel’s military is called into action, it consistently seeks to minimize civilian casualties. Despite considerable challenges - Gaza is a very densely populated area, and Hamas cynically uses its civilian populations as human shields to protect terrorists from being targeted – early reports indicate that Israel has been successful in striking its military targets.
Despite the ongoing threat from Hamas, Israel has demonstrated ample willingness to help avoid a humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Over the past several months Israel has risked the opening of key border crossings – which have often come under attack – to allow shipments of food and medical supplies to the residents of Gaza.
Arab leaders have also spoken out against Hamas, warning them to cease the rocket attacks and extend the truce with Israel. Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Aboul Gheit indicated that “Egypt warned (Hamas) for a long time, and someone who ignores warnings is responsible for the outcome.”
In 2005, the Israeli Government took a chance for peace and disengaged from the Gaza Strip. All Israeli military presence in the Gaza Strip was removed, and Jewish residents were forced to abandon their homes. Rather than respond with a reciprocal show of good will, Hamas turned the area into a launching pad for attacks on Israeli civilians. Since the Disengagement, more than 4,000 rockets and mortar shells have been fired from Gaza at Israel.
Israel is still committed to peace, but there can be no peace while an entire population is subject to terrorist attacks. We at the JCRC support the government of Israel and its people as they seek to defend themselves from the ongoing threats they face. We are grateful for the steadfast support and sympathy for Israel’s plight shown by our own government. We join in the calls for Hamas and other enemies of Israel to stop their violent campaign against Israel’s right to exist, so that peaceful resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict may finally be reached.
Arna Poupko Fisher, President Brian Jaffee, Director JCRC
Gazans flee into EgyptGAZA CITY, Gaza Strip (AP) -- Crowds of Gazans trying to escape Israeli air assaults have fled into Egypt by breaching a border wall with a bulldozer.
This, as Israeli warplanes target the smuggling tunnels that are a major weapons pipeline for the Hamas rulers of Gaza. It marks an expansion of the targets of an air assault that initially struck Hamas security sites.
Israel has moved tanks, infantry and armored units to the Gaza border, but so far the offensive against rocket squads in Gaza has been carried out exclusively from the air.
A Gaza health official says the airstrikes killed more than 280 Palestinians and wounded hundreds more in its first 24 hours. A Palestinian human rights group says among the 251 dead it counted, 20 were children.
The militants, meanwhile, have still managed to launch more than 20 rockets and mortars at Israeli border communities today. That's down sharply from yesterday, indicating that the airstrikes took a stiff toll.
Syria, meanwhile, has broken off its indirect peace talks with Israel -- a reflection of the anger in the Arab world over Israel's actions.
Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.
