My fellow Americans,
I come to you tonight to address the Israel-Hamas war and the protests we are seeing on American university campuses. I asked for the opportunity to address you tonight because I felt that it was important to clarify the position of the United States and clear up any confusion.
The war is between Israel and Hamas. It is not between Israel and the people of Gaza. It is not between Israel and the Palestinian people. In fact most Palestinians are not involved at all. This war is between Israel and a terrorist organization that is funded by Iran and Qatar. No country would tolerate an attack against its citizens as Israel did on October 7th without vigorously defending itself. No country would accept living under the constant threat of a genocidal terrorist group whose stated mission is the murder of your citizens and the destruction of your country. It's similar to the war we fought against Bin-Laden after the 9/11 attack. It's similar to the war we fought in Afghanistan, Iraq and throughout the Middle-East against ISIS. It's a war for freedom and western values against terrorists who oppose freedom and western values. It's a war against the inhumanity of using citizens, women and children, as weapons of war, turning apartment buildings, schools and hospitals into military facilities. No sane, humane organization would do that. That's what this war is about.
I understand the heartbreak of seeing many many innocent people die and hurt in this war. It's heartbreaking for me as much as it is for you. I understand the horror of seeing the ruin of homes and hospitals in Gaza. But let's be clear. This is a war. One that Hamas started on October 7th. A war that Hamas brought into Gaza because they felt it was tactically advantageous to them to do so. They took hostages back with them into Gaza. They built tunnels, not for the safety of citizens, but for Hamas fighters to hide and launch attacks. As long as Hamas stays in Gaza, Palestinians are unsafe. Recently, Hamas attacked the humantarian pier our engineers have been building to bring food aid to the citizens of Gaza. When they are not looting food trucks, Hamas terrorists are attacking the gates where those trucks enter Gaza. Hamas wants Gazans to suffer as much as possible, because it serves their propaganda purposes. They cannot defeat Israel militarily, so they hope the world will pressure Israel into a ceasefire. The massive death toll of Palestinians and ruin of Gaza is Hamas's responsibility. They are not fighting for the Palestinian cause, they are fighting for their own survival, and to destroy any hope for peace with Israel.
It's unthinkable to me that there are educated, caring young people, university students, lending their voices in support of this heinous, barbaric terrorist group and their aims. The right of every American citizen to voice their opinion is a cornerstone of America. I support that fully. But I cannot fathom how it seems lost on these students that Hamas is celebrating their protests and views them as allies. Hamas is encouraged and emboldened to continue their fight by these protests. I believe that most of the students care deeply about the Palestinian people, as do I. Which is why any support of Hamas is detrimental to their cause. Many of the protesters are not students at all, but outside political organizers and agitators. They are using and manipulating the students for their ends. But if there are students and members of faculty who support and justify the babaric acts Hamas committed against Israeli citizens, I am not with them. If there are students and some faculty members who believe that Israel should not exist, I oppose them. And I oppose in the strongest terms possible anyone who would justify the torture and taking of hostages. That's simply evil.
I want to be perfectly clear. Israel is our ally and partner for 75 years, and a beacon of democratic western values in the Middle-East. Our alliance with Israel is and will remain steadfast. Israel is stronger now than it's ever been and will continue getting stronger. Its enemies may wish otherwise, but Israel is not going anywhere. Israel's fight is the fight for freedom and democratic values. Just as Israel stood with us in our fight against freedom-hating terrorists, so do we stand with Israel to finish the job of eliminating Hamas in Gaza, and wherever they are. It's in our interest. It's in Israel's interest. And it's in the interest of the Palestinian people if they hope to achieve safety, security and to maintain any hope for a path to self-determination and peace.
Thank you for your time and God bless the United States.
Forget property management, YOU should go into politics! Instead of imagining what the POTUS would or should say, you should employ your strong sense of moral clarity to practical purposes. We need good leaders ... you would make one. I'd be on your campaign team!
ReplyDeleteYou think I'm joking ... but I'm dead serious.
Yes I think you're joking. But if you're not, I'm flattered. I think you know I studied politics in undergrad and at graduate school. After studies, I figured I should get some practical experience of politics, so I worked on an election campaign, namely the 1988 campaign. It was focused on Free Trade as the main issue and the Conservatives won by a landslide. I worked for the Liberals. So my first (and only) experience in politics was unsuccessful. But in another way it was successful. I learned what it actually means when Aristotle wrote 'Man is a political animal', in a certain sense. The politician I worked closely with was definitely a political animal. We knocked on doors together. We went to the bus terminal to shake hands with the folks standing in line waiting for the bus. We went to community events, three, four, five times a day. He loved talking to people, meeting people, he loved talking in general, was very articulate, and quick on his feet. He had seemingly boundless energy. He was super charged from public life. He was a performer. He kept his personal opinions private. My experience being with him made me realize I could never be a politician.
ReplyDeleteWow, I didn't know about your education and prior experience ... that's way more education and experience than our current Prime Minister has! All the more so ... you should consider going back "into the ring". "Never" is not a practical word, especially in trying times like these.
ReplyDeleteYou should also consider writing a poem about your sign on the door experiences!
ReplyDeleteSomeone already said it best:
ReplyDelete"Sign on the window says 'lonely,'
Sign on the door said 'no company allowed,'
Sign on the street says 'why' don't own me'
Sign on the porch says 'three's a crowd'
Sign on the porch says 'three's a crowd'"
Hehe. The Shakespeare of our times!
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