By Nicole Sivan
As Hamas indiscriminately shoots rockets into Israel unconcerned as to whether or not it hits civilian, military or aviation targets, the world has finally taken a stand. Against Hamas you may ask? Sadly, no. The FAA has banned all flights in and out of Israel’s Ben Gurion International Airport. Jumping on the bandwagon, many European airlines have followed suit. Why is this ban such as big deal? Because this airport is the only international airport in Israel.
On Tuesday one of Hamas’s randomly fired rockets landed within a mile of Ben Gurion Airport, destroying a house in the Israeli town of Yehud. FAA regulation states that if a rocket hits within one mile of an airport, flights must be put on hold for twenty four hours until the situation is reevaluated. The FAA reassessed the situation on Wednesday and reinstated the flight ban for another twenty four hours. Currently, US Airways, United Airlines, Delta, Air France, KLM and Lufthansa have all canceled flights in and out of Israel. British Airways and Israel’s national airline, El Al, are continuing fights to and from Ben Gurion.
Israel’s Director of Civil Aviation Authority, Giora Romm, told CNN that Israel has shown the FAA a full analysis of how Israel has been conducting security at the airport and are waiting for the FAA to review the material and reconsider their ban. Romm believes the FAA is airing on the side of caution because so far there have been sixteen days of fighting, Hamas has launched over 2200 rockets into Israel, and more than 16,000 flights have taken off and landed at Ben Gurion Airport during this time. Why have no rockets landed inside the airport and why are flights not in danger? Because “we know how to defend Ben Gurion,” Romm says. Israel knew the rocket heading in the direction of the airport was not going to hit the airport. “We track everything,” and know where rockets are going to land.
The banning of flights in and out of Israel is a major blow to the Israeli economy, and for national prestige. This is the height of tourism season and the cancelation of flights will lead to the loss of revenue. It is a “major setback for Israel.” Many also say the banning of US flights is like “awarding a prize” to Hamas and sets a dangerous precedent for terrorist organizations the world over. Hamas no longer needs to indiscriminately fire rockets at the citizens of Israel. It can just fire one rocket in the direction of the airport and bring the country to its knees, even if no flights are ever in danger of being shot down.
On Tuesday, in a show of solidarity with Israel, and to prove that Israel’s aviation system and airport are safe, former NYC mayor Michael Bloomberg booked a seat on an El Al flight from New York to Tel Aviv. In a statement, he said: “The U.S. flight restrictions are a mistake that hands Hamas an underserved victory and should be lifted immediately.”
And Hamas is proving victorious. World opinion of Israel has been declining throughout this conflict. The UN has even threatened Israel with accusations of war crimes as the number of Palestinian civilian causalities rises.
But, how is a civilized nation meant to deal with a terrorist organization that indiscriminately fires rockets at it? How does one sit down and hammer out a peace deal with an organization that does not want peace, does not recognize your right to exist and has vowed to destroy your country? Hamas freely admits these things. Now, as I say this I am not speaking of the Palestinian people as a whole. I truly believe that the majority of Palestinians, despite this conflict, feel the same as me and want nothing more than peace and a chance to give their children a better life to grow and flourish. But, what prevents this peace? Why can we not implement a two-state solution and begin rebuilding as peaceful neighbors? Because Hamas is a terrorist organization.
Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel’s Prime Minister, has compared Hamas to the likes of ISIS, al Qaeda, Boko Haram, and Hezbollah. Again, Hamas is a terrorist organization. Even the United States recognizes it as so. How is Israel to negotiate with such an organization? Hamas is not interested in a two state solution or a just compromise for the Palestinian people it claims to represent. The organization is focused on the destruction of the State of Israel. How do you negotiate with such an organization? And why does Israel again and again get all of the blame for this conflict? I watch the news with my blood boiling. John Kerry’s off the record comments criticizing Israel’s “pinpoint” strikes at Gaza, implying there is no precision at all. Israel, unlike Hamas, is at least trying to hit specific military targets in Gaza. This is not an easy task when Gaza is one of the most populated and overcrowded places in the world. And it is extremely difficult when Hamas continuously uses civilian locations, including hospitals and schools, as bases of operations for launching rockets into Israel. This fact has been confirmed by the UN who has found rockets and other military supplies in these civilian areas.
Also, why does Western news focus so little on Hamas’s indiscriminate rocket fire into Israel—not even aimed at military targets but just randomly fired into the country with the hopes of hitting something or someone, causing death and destruction? Unfortunately the answer is because Israelis aren’t dying in great enough numbers. Israelis sit safely under the protection of the Iron Dome defense system and run to fortified bomb shelters when the air raid sirens go off. Where are the bomb shelters for the Palestinians in Gaza? There are none. Hamas never built any for their people. Instead, Hamas used all of the cement and money designated for hospitals, schools and homes in the construction of elaborate terrorist tunnels into Israel.
Yet, despite these facts, Hamas has won the PR war. Western media is allowing the organization to do so. What is happening to the people of Gaza is disastrous. The number of dead is astounding. The pictures of lifeless children in Gaza are beyond heartbreaking; no words can describe the devastation and loss. I cannot imagine. Yes, Israel dropped the bombs that caused these loses. But who forced the people to serve as human shields and remain in the bomb zone even after Israel told civilians to evacuate? Who started this war and refuses to lay down its arms and once and for all make peace? The answer: Hamas.
But world opinion is declaring Israel the villain. Hamas is winning on this frontline. And somehow we are surprised when more terror organizations spring up around the world. Why shouldn’t they? Terrorism works. It is even rewarded by those who claim to despise it most. Hamas has shown us a true and tried formula for running a terrorist organization: Start a conflict, attack your enemy, force your enemy to respond, get world sympathy for innocent civilians lost in the retaliation/defense, and suddenly you are the victim with the world on your side. Victory! I don’t in any way want to demean the Palestinian civilian victims of this conflict, but we need to remember that Hamas is the perpetrator of this violence, and its actions are what lead to the destruction of their homes and the loss of lives.
So, what can you do to help? Write your congressman and your local new organization. Send letters to the UN. Let them know how you feel about this situation and about the coverage provided on this current conflict. And, if and when you are able, visit Israel. When this battle is over Israel will need to rebuild its economy after this lost season of tourism. There is no better way to participate in this reconstruction then planning a trip to the Holy Land.
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mare says
Hamas is getting what it wants if it destroys Israel’s tourism and economy. Very interesting article.
Rahel says
Hi Nicole- you are so right. I am especially scared of the hatred demonstrators (and others) show in Europe now. Somehow this conflict seems to touch so many more people than the conflict in Syria, the cruel actions of the IS, what Boko Haram are doing.. why is that so? Maybe because Jews are involved? Most probably.
I really do hope that we will soon get peace. That both sides can go on living peacefully. I wish the world would care enough to help the Palestinians to establish a good economic system instead of sending just money that is used for terrorist purposes.