War is a tricky topic to understand. Many believe that it can be worked through politically, finding a compromise, and then a resolution. Others believe that war can only be resolved through complete victory on one side, and some believe that it’s a mix of both. The answer is decided depending on the opposition faced rather than by the war itself. Who is your adversary? Is it an established, democratic, western-minded nation or is it a hostile, tyrannical, and middle-eastern minded entity?
These questions may seem unnecessary, however they reshape the entire lens of Israel’s current war with Hamas. In addition to the brave soldiers on the ground, wars fought with western mindsets are also fought through politics, people pleasing, and under-the-table deals. Wars fought in the Middle East however, are much different. Israel, the only democracy in the Middle East, has had to learn this concept first-hand through its long history of conflict with surrounding Arab countries.
In Middle Eastern Arab culture, western policies are viewed as weak in the face of one’s adversary. Alternatively, they only have respect for strong presence and force of action.
This difference can be shown in many events throughout history. An example of when western policies failed in this region is when Israel gave the Gaza Strip to the Palestinians and since this was perceived as weakness by the Arabs, the attacks from Gaza only increased. The expression of strength in Middle Eastern politics can also be shown in the aftermath of the October 7th attack when support for Hamas skyrocketed in Gaza and Judea and Samaria
In addition to this already foreign concept to many people in the west, the people in this region are not simply a peace loving culture; they’re also terrorists. They have more intention of committing genocide against the Jewish people than they have for protecting their own citizens. These terrorists are willing to sacrifice their own if it means that one more Jew is killed. If they do not hold the lives of their own citizens to a higher standard than the death of a Jew, it means that no peace deal that Israel makes or attempts to make with Hamas will last. There cannot be peace when one party’s priority is death.
The Stakes are Higher Than What People Think
As many across the world continue to push Israel to implement a western policy with Hamas, they tend to either be ignorant to or forget the complexities of dealing with Middle Eastern terrorists while also being the only democratic, western-minded nation in the region. Israel cannot show even an iota of “western weakness” when it communicates with Hamas; communications have to be held with an unwavering strength that demands respect from the very one attempting to murder every Jew in the country. Israel’s progression into Gaza to dismantle every Hamas member is the only humane way Israel can move forward. Israel must show strength to Hamas because if they don’t, Hamas will only continue to barrage Israel with more and more aggression.
This “strong arm” Middle Eastern mentality is also shared by many of the Arab countries that surround Israel. If Israel shows this iota of weakness while dealing with Hamas, the surrounding countries will see it as their opportunity to pounce on Israel and take their own shot at wiping the Jewish nation off the map. Israel showing this “weakness” could very well lead them into another Six-Day war. Israel cannot risk being seen as weak in the eyes of their neighbors, even if it means that they face criticism from western cultures.
I’m amazed at how naive Americans are in regards to middle eastern policies and the tightrope Bibi has to constantly walk in order to protect it’s citizens and show terrorist groups that their policies are not welcome in Israel.
The real battle is in the heavenlies. Good versus Evil, the devil against the creator, God Almighty. In the end Good will prevail, as God always wins in the end. It’s just going through the battle that is hard.
Amen!
I fully support the decision to fight until Hamas is driven out. Gaza should be under the rule of Israel.
If a Palestinian wants to live there under the laws of Israel and if not they can go somewhere else. We are having similar issues here. My answer is live here and assimilate or go to another country with your likeminded culture. I have been to Israel three times and it feels like home. Had to cancel my last trip because of October seventh. May the Lord Bless you and keep you safe.
I agree with you and add that the USA would fight to the death if they were in Israel’s situation. Why are they so blind now?
Hallelujah, Amen.
I believe Golda Meir already said this,
“We can forgive the Arabs for killing our children. We cannot forgive them for forcing us to kill their children. We will only have peace with the Arabs when they love their children more than they hate us.”
Yes, it was her, and she is still correct!
Amen
The USA only won their civil war when Sherman marched to the sea . . . raiding every where he went . . . confiscating what he needed and burning the rest. WW2 in Japan only ended with Hiroshima and Nagasaki . . . Germany quit after Dresden and Berlin were all but obliterated. Those all prove that the only way a war is won is to destroy the fighters . . . and unfortunately . . . the civilians who support them. Yes, children and women will die . . . their fathers are responsible for leaving them in the war zone . . . the soldiers are not. You have my support, Israel . . . and until Jesus comes back . . . you always will have.
How soon the West has forgotten our war with Japan that had to end with Nuclear force. How fast we forget the human wave attacks against our forces during the Korean war. How fast we forget the human wave attacks between Iran and Iraq, during their war. A culture of “Death” in the East is propagated by the deeply held beliefs they hold about the after life, be it Hindu, Moslem or Buddhist. We see these beliefs as embracing death, like the Japanese in the second world war where suicide attacks were preferable to surrender. Israel has had to face the reality that while every Jew I have ever known or heard about treasures life, they have been forced to confront a hostile Eastern Ideology that embraces death. The power to kill is what they respect, and it is that power they must see their enemy as having, or they will kill their enemy without question.