Letter: Making the Case for Israel and Zionism

Dear editor:

While Bruce Ticker’s description of the many ways that Israel is attacked by her enemies was somewhat amusing, (Column: Lacking Civil Discourse: ‘Judenrat’ Vs ‘Psycho Pro-Israel’ Boulder Jewish News April 3, 2025) I think making the case for Israel and Zionism is a better use of the Boulder Jewish News’ pages. And it seems that Ticker agrees with me – saying that it is better to refute the lies of Israel’s enemies on their merits (or lack thereof) rather than by making threats, even facetiously.

People who want to slow or stop the delivery of armaments to Israel need to be reminded that Israel is not fighting to take revenge for the atrocities Hamas committed against Israelis (and people who dared to work for Israelis). Israel is fighting to prevent Hamas from making good on its vow to inflict a thousand October 7’s on Israelis and people having any peaceful connection to them – a vow that was cheered by Palestinians. Nor is Israel seeking to commit genocide against Palestinians. Israeli leaders are calling for the deradicalization of the Palestinians to follow the decisive defeat of Hamas and the demilitarization of Gaza. And people who wonder why Israel needs heavy armaments (2000-lb bombs) need to be reminded that Hamas fighters are living in fortified tunnels deep underground. (It’s also worth reminding the readers that Hamas hasn’t provided any shelter for the civilian population. Hamas denies any responsibility for the Gazans’ welfare – that’s UNRWA’s responsibility).

Indeed, military experts, such as West Point’s Major John Spencer and Britain’s Colonel Richard Kemp, have noted that the IDF has taken extraordinary efforts to avoid hurting civilians while Hamas has deliberately endangered the people living under its (mis)governance. Major Spencer has even noted that, by storing weapons in schools, hospitals, and residences, and holding strategic planning sessions, attended by Hamas operatives (who are likely targets of IDF assassination attempts) near designated “safe areas,” Hamas has gone beyond using Gazans as human shields, effectively turning them into “human sacrifices.”

I’ll end by noting that Palestinian leaders have turned down proposals for the establishment of a Palestinian state from Israeli leaders spanning Israel’s political spectrum. If current Israeli officials now reject the “Two State Solution,” it is because Palestinian leaders have shown that they have no interest in helping Palestinians to become productive citizens in areas under their control. Palestinian leaders are focused on enriching themselves on monies donated for their people’s benefit and on destroying the nation-state of the Jews.

https://besacenter.org/palestinian-rejectionism/

Toby F. Block
Atlanta, GA