The battle peace talks just won’t fix

The Islamic Hamas movement in the Gaza Strip can now launch rockets capable of reaching the Israeli metropolitan area of Tel Aviv, Deputy Foreign Minister Danny Ayalon said at a Jerusalem briefing.

Israel’s population, according to the latest estimate is nearly 7.5 million, and at its narrowest point, is only about 13 miles wide; Iran’s president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, has repeatedly called for the destruction of the tiny nation state.

Tehran has sent signals for years in support of Hamas and Hizbullah; Israel remains the only true US ally in the region and America has long sought to stabilize and facilitate peace among the countries that surround the tiny nation-state.

“We know they have tried to, and have obtained missiles that reach 60 kilometers (37 miles),” says Ayalon, “Tel Aviv and its vicinity are now under the range of Hamas.”

Throughout Israel’s military operation against Hamas in Gaza, which ceased in January, the farthest rocket hit was nearly 25 miles into Israel, jeopardizing southern cities like Ashdod and Beersheba.

Since the three-week action, Hamas has been able to restock its stockpile of military gear and explosives as well as improve its rocket capability.

Hundreds of tons of weaponry, ten times the size of the Karine A shipment of 2002, were seized in a raid during the night by the Israeli navy, some 100 nautical miles west of Israel; the ship detained was sailing under an Antiguan flag.

Brigadier General Rani Ben-Yehuda, deputy commander of the Israeli navy said of the conveyance of such huge amounts of weapons, "…is done in order to create a balance of terror with Israel".

Defense officials said the 459 foot-long Francop, seized near Cyprus, was transporting arms sent by Iran and intended for Syria and Hizbullah. After several days of the Israeli military observing the ship, IDF Navy Seals boarded it in the middle of the night.

This incident is one among countless others in which Israel has had to invest self-reliance for self-preservation. It once again demonstrates that it cannot rest, lest it be overcome by foreign forces. Presidents Carter and Clinton held historical talks with leaders of both Israel and Palestine, but all for naught, as Israel is called to show restraint time and again, there will be no peace until the talking ends and victory is realized.

-- Killswitch Politick

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