Israel: Behind the headlines

It is one of our greatest challenges as students, and as Americans, to read beyond the headlines and push through the propaganda-filled media that we are exposed to on a daily basis. Educating ourselves on a broad range of facts will help individuals formulate their own informed opinions amongst the cluttered media and ever-shifting situation in the Middle East. In order to understand America's support of Israel in its fight against terrorist organizations, we must examine the current crisis with a historical perspective and establish the endgame for each side in this conflict. \nThere is a common misnomer that the underlying point of contention in the Middle East is land. However, the Palestinians wanted Israel out of Gaza, and they got it. Lebanon wanted Israel out of southern Lebanon, they got it. Israel wanted peace, instead they got Katusha rockets fired into Israeli cities 24 hours after the Palestinians took over Gaza, as well as an al-Qaida presence within the week. When Israel left southern Lebanon, Hezbollah guerillas quickly took control -- Hezbollah is the terrorist organization that, before Sept. 11, had killed more American soldiers than any other group. With Israel weathering more attacks as a result of withdrawing from land desired by the Palestinians and the Lebanese, it could not be any more transparent that the Middle East conflict is not about land. \nHow a nation conducts a war shows much about that nation's character. Hezbollah lobs rockets into Israeli cities with the intent of killing civilians, as there is no attempt to target military installations. On Hezbollah's own soil, its intentions are even more insidious. There are numerous documented reports that clearly show Hezbollah operating in children hospitals, in civilian apartments and in mosques. What Hezbollah lacks in military competence, it more than compensates for in the public relations war. Hezbollah realizes that any Lebanese casualties inflicted by Israel will strengthen its public support and recruitment of Lebanese civilians. As Americans, we cannot fathom that people would act in such a despicable and self-serving manner, but we must face the realization that these radical Islamic groups perpetrate these crimes daily. \nNow let's examine how Israel conducts the war. Israel notifies Lebanese civilians to evacuate the areas where Hezbollah is operating through distributing leaflets and placing automated phone calls. What other country places phone calls warning that your street might be bombed because terrorists are utilizing the civilian infrastructure? \nThis is a battle where one side uses civilians to shield its military, versus a side that values human life. It is Israel alone in the Middle East that has a unique bond with America, created on the basis of endless shared values including religious freedom, free markets, diversity and democracy. We must stay proud to be Americans who stick with our democratic values. America must remain steadfast and strong with a country that shares our most important value: human life.