True Leadership

If you want a demonstration of true leadership, look no further than our once strong ally, Israel, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. You may recall the blisteringly passionate speech he gave at the U.N. a couple weeks ago, when he forcefully denounced anyone who failed to acknowledge the Holocaust. But yesterday he did something else. He spoke in response to a new United Nations report about his country's response last year to years of rocket fire into Israel from the Gaza Strip. That report denounced Israel's actions and accused Israel of intentionally harming civilians. Following years of frustration, Israel's military response was a massive attack that did include civilian casualties. However, Netanyahu stated in his speech to the Israeli Parliament that no Israeli official, government leader, or soldier would face trial for war crimes - period.

Here's my editorial on the subject. Every leader of every country knows and understands that terrorist tactics include the firing of missiles, RPG's, rocket fire, rifle fire, etc conducted from the "safety" of civilian populated areas of the various countries perpetrating the violence. Those using civilian centers to launch attacks know and understand the reluctance of world leaders to mount a counter-offensive against them precisely because they do use civilian populations as "shields".

Now, I believe, that by now, all civilians should know and understand what they are being used for and that they have two choices. The first is to accept their role as "shields", thus enabling the terrorist activity in their country. Or, secondly, they can turn those insurgents in, and weed terrorist activity out of their neighborhoods - thus insuring a more peaceful existence for themselves and their children, and beginning the cycle of cleansing that will change their country for the better once and for all. But if they choose the first alternative, they are complicit in the terrorist action, and thus should be categorized as an enemy combatant - not a civilian. As such, they then become subject to attack just as those carrying a weapon are. I believe Netanyahu understood this. But even if he didn't he still acted to protect the interest of his country. And I applaud him.

Thank you for your leadership Mr. Netanyahu, and your willingness to stand on principle and integrity!

Wake Up America!