I’ve always had a reasonable sympathy for Israel, but I’ve certainly been critical of some actions they’ve taken over the years. It’s hard to understand criticism of the current Israeli attack on Hamas.

Even during the putative cease-fire they agreed to last June, Hamas has been launching rockets into Israel. I’ve yet to hear of any military targets being hit, it always seems to be apartments, shopping areas, and schools. I think any reasonable person would agree that this has to stop.

Personally, I have no trouble living next to heavily-armed neighbors, and I often have. I don’t have any trouble living next to irrational people that hate my guts, that’s happened too. I wouldn’t be comfortable with it, but I wouldn’t invoke military force to attack a heavily-armed, irrational neighbor who hated my guts. However, when that neighbor actually starts shooting at my house, it seems reasonable that it be stopped, and right smartly at that.

Were I to find myself in that situation, I’d call 9-1-1. Unfortunately, there is no comparable solution available to the people of Israel, they have no choice but to put on their helmets and march.

Israel has allowed a great deal of food and medical supplies into Gaza, even during this attack. I hope they figure out how to continue that, and wish they could figure out a way to evacuate the wounded either to their own facilities or to Egyptian hospitals. I’d like to see them figure out a way to get unarmed civilians out of Gaza City so they can tighten the siege without hurting noncombatants.

I’m sure it’s too much to ask for, but it certainly would be a good thing for the residents of Gaza to understand that when Hamas stores weapons in their neighborhoods and attract Israeli attacks, it’s Hamas that is destroying their neighborhood. It would also be a good thing if the rest of the Arab world were to take a firm stand against the violent and irresponsible Hamas.