Imagine if a group of Islamic Fundamentalists had taken over Vauxhall
in South London - the kind on trial last week for the poison bomb
plots. Imagine too, that these Islamists, had vanquished the moderate
Muslim forces, were now in the process of implementing Sharia law and
had decided to fire missiles (some home made, some imported from Iran)
on a daily basis on to Pimlico and Westminster. It wouldn't be long
before the UK Government launched an all out counter attack. Not many
would complain.
Yet, when the Israeli town of Sderot and other cities like Ashkelon, face a constant bombardment of missiles from Gaza - fired by Hamas and Islamic Jihad - it is Israel that comes under criticism when it seeks to defend her citizens from attack.
From 1948 to 1967, the Gaza Strip was controlled by Egypt (although no one ever called it 'Occupied' at that time). After the Six Day War in 1967, and the impending armed threat on Israel from Gaza and the West Bank, Israel took over the Administration of the territories.
In 2005, in an unprecedented and unilateral act, Israel disengaged from every inch of Gaza, asking for nothing from the Palestinian leadership in return. The hope was that if this pro-active attempt at peace worked, Israel would then withdraw from significant parts of the West Bank. At the time, Hamas claimed credit for the Israeli withdrawal, arguing that they had defeated the 'Zionist Entity', particularly since there were no Israeli soldiers or police remaining in Gaza. Even in February 2008, Hamas were still acknowledging that "Gaza was no longer occupied".
But the Israeli unilateral withdrawal, far from being a harbinger to peace, only brought in its wake further terrorism. What happened was very different from what had been wished for. Instead of building a strong economy with millions of dollars of overseas aid, Palestinian Terrorists smashed up the Greenhouses (given by the World Bank), and diverted aid money to fund terror and propaganda. In June 2007 there was a coup d'etat against the PLO by Hamas, who took over Gaza and have begun to implement an extremist version of Sharia Law controlled by a Police State. Anti-Hamas factions or individuals are routinely harassed, moved from key jobs or murdered.
Not many will forget the image of Hamas gunmen throwing Fatah officials from the rooftops of Palestinian Authority Building. In summer 2006, Hamas kidnapped an Israeli soldier, Gilad Shalit, on Israeli territory, and there has been little word about him since, with the Red Cross and Human Rights Organisations refused access.
Even before 'Hamas-stan' came into being, the nearby Israeli towns suffered a barrage of daily missiles from Gaza hilltops. Over 5,000 missiles have been fired on Israel since the Israeli withdrawal. However towns like Sderot have been facing missile attacks for the last seven years. These are not just homemade efforts. Many of the missiles are Katyusha rockets which have a significantly longer range and deadlier effect.
The impact of the daily missile attacks on Israeli towns like Sderot has been incalculable. The psychological damage on local residents is enormous. I myself have been to Sderot with Conservative MPs and activists and have seen the enormous quantity of missiles that have reached this town; school children regularly live in fear.
What has been the response of many commentators to what has been going on? Instead of supporting Israel for its courageous decision to withdraw from Gaza, and wholeheartedly condemning Palestinian terrorism, Israel is seen as 'the aggressor' and refusing to allow aid into Gaza or to open crossings between Israel and Gaza to allow supplies to come through.
But the facts are very different. Terrorists use the crossings to move explosives and other weaponry or even to send suicide bombers into Israel. Only a few weeks ago, food sacks disguised as EU aid, were found to contain explosive materials. Moreover, the key Karni Crossing (previously operated by Fatah) was destroyed during the civil war between the Palestinian factions. Despite this, Israel opened another crossing in order to ensure that genuine aid such as fuel and medicine can reach Palestinian inhabitants.
Israel is told it should open dialogue with Hamas. But you can't talk to terrorists, supported by Iran and Syria, who don't believe you should exist. Moreover, such talks would simply destroy the chances of the moderate Palestinians from emerging as peaceful interlocutors.
If Israeli towns continue to be attacked by missiles from Gaza, and be subject to the constant threat from suicide bombers, can it be any wonder that peace is so hard to achieve? It is time that those who are quick to complain at Israeli actions recognise the facts on the ground and support those who stand for democracy, rather than give succour to Islamic terrorism. The Palestinians in Gaza deserve better than Hamas.
