I definitely had more than one discussion about the methods the Israelis used against the terrorists with several people, and we seldom agree. Often, I disagree completely with the criticisms being levelled at the Israeli’s ‘excessive use of force’.
Some will argue that to kill even those guilty without the due process of law isn’t right. Some will say fighting fire with fire will never put it out. But knowing that there is no way to bring these people to justice? Can anyone sincerely say that when the Israelis know exactly where these people are, and who are responsible for planning the terror attacks, these people aren’t guilty at all? Did Israel just pick these people by random and kill them for fun?
I have always believed that such force is a necessary evil and the decisions to use it were never made lightly. In my opinion, such decisions would weigh heavily on the conscience of those who made them. And that is the reason why I never would never equate a terrorist operation blowing up Israeli civilians as a counter reaction to such Israeli actions.
Anyway, I have never seen an instance in which the likes of Hamas, Al Qaeda and all their wannabes, failed to justify and glorify all their crimes against humanity as a jihad – a holy war – (and considered it right to mass murder people) without even having a shred of remorse for the people they have murdered. I also do not need to point out that these people are killed simply for the ‘crime’ of being a Jew, an infidel, or even a co-religionist of another religious doctrine; or simply for being at the wrong place at the wrong time.
The following is an article from the Washington Post which I have copied onto a Word document. You might want to read it to see how Israeli leaders debate with each other over civilian casaulties and agonised over their decision to strike.