More Violence Along the Israeli-Gazan Border: Is There any Hope?

Tensions continue to remain high along the Israeli border with the Gaza Strip.  Yesterday dozens of rockets and mortar rounds were fired from Gaza into Israel resulting in several injuries but no casualties among the Israelis.  Although one of the rockets hit inside a school play ground, no student was injured.  The Islamic Jihad claimed responsibility for those rocket attacks.  Almost immediately Israeli warplanes were scrambled and flew several missions over the Gaza Strip destroying training facilities for Hamas recruiting.  An emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council is scheduled for today to discuss this latest increase in violence along this volatile border. 


The cry from the liberal left here in America and in Europe is that the responsibility for the unrest within the Gaza Strip can be laid at the feet of the Israeli people.  After all, it is the Israeli people who are keeping the Palestinians prisoner within the Gaza Strip.  Fact number one: Egypt joined Israel in isolating the Gaza Strip in 2007 when Hamas declared itself the sole representative of the Palestinian people living within Gaza.  From 2005, after the Israeli disengagement from the Gaza Strip, to 2007 both Israel and Egypt had become the recipients of terrorist assaults.  So in 2007, both Israel and Egypt joined forces to isolate the Gaza Strip with border closures and a sea-embargo. 


Fact number two: The plight of the Palestinian people living in the Gaza Strip can be laid directly at the feet of the leadership of Hamas.  The dollars from Europe and the United Nations Relief Agencies have often been used, not for foods and medicines and housing and businesses so the people could have a job, but to purchase rockets, weapons, and to dig tunnels.  Just think of what could have been accomplished for the Palestinian people if they had been given incentives to better their lives. 


Fact number three, and this is a fact that the liberal left does not want to hear: Since the Israeli War of Independence of 1948, those Arabs who fled their homes at the urging of the Arab League leadership, have been recognized by the Arab world and the United Nations as being refugees.  No Arab nation wanted to assimilate these Arabs into their states.  Tens of millions of dollars are spent every year to help these people maintain their status as refugees.  Few have sought gainful employment, and why should they as the United Nations will take care of them.  Of course their status is never elevated - that would destroy the picture of a refugee that enters into the minds of many of us.  It really is time for the world to remove the label of "refugee" from these people and instead seek to bring them into the 21st century.


But, how is that to happen, you might ask.  Well that brings us to fact number four, and this is one that needs to be corrected: The ultimate goal of the Palestinian leadership is the complete destruction of the State of Israel.  This doctrine of hate is taught to children, beginning in the elementary years.  I have seen videos where children as young as six or seven are taught in school how to kill Jews.  With this hatred being taught from one generation to another, there can be no hope for peace or even for a betterment of life.  Hatred breeds violence; violence breeds more hatred.  It is a destructive cycle that can only be broken if the Palestinian people determine that they want something better for their children other than death through acts of terror. 


Yes, Israel can be part of the solution - but only part of the solution, and that only after the Palestinian people resolve to take steps to better their own lives, not through hatred and violence, but through acceptance and peace.  It is going to take a decision on the part of the people to change the leadership, to remove from power those who have only been the warmongers.  Can such a revolution occur within the Gaza Strip?  It seems highly unlikely but I have learned never to count something completely out. 


Does God have a plan for the Gaza Strip?  Yes, He most certainly does.  Does God care for those people within Gaza who are suffering because of terrible political decisions?  Yes, He most certainly does  And we know that God's purposes will always been accomplished.  Praise God for that powerful truth. 


On a lighter note: This past weekend was Memorial Day.  Marlys and I were in the Des Moines area to attend our granddaughter Meghan's high school graduation.  On Monday afternoon we drove to the cemetery where Marlys's parents are buried and also Meghan's Mom.  Hundreds of American flags fluttered over the driveways that meandered through the cemetery.  And small American flags graced the graves of all the veterans buried there.  It brought tears to one's eyes.  Hundreds of men and women had given time out of their lives to serve our nation - many of them during times of war.  Oh the debt of gratitude that we owe them.  Then last night we attended the graduation exercises for  Meghan.  It was held at the Hilton Coliseum on the campus of Iowa State University.  Perhaps the highlight of the ceremony was the playing and singing of The Battle Hymn of the Republic by the choir and symphonic band of Ankeny High School.  That piece has become the traditional closing for graduation ceremonies.  As that song neared its crescendo at the end, two large American flags were unfurled, one behind the choir, the second behind the band.  The audience rose with thunderous applause.  It still feels good to be an American.  It still feels good to get a tear in your eye as you see our flag being honored.  Now it is off to our granddaughter Abby's graduation at Stewartville, Minnesota on Friday night.  Ah, life does go on.