A Winner in More Than One Way

As with the Six Day War, friends of Israel worried this week, because they understood that Israel does not have the latitude to lose a war. For a while, Israel looked like it was bogged down by Hezbollah. But that was never the case. Israel was only bogged down by her own sense of morality.

As with the Six Day War, friends of Israel worried this week, because they understood that Israel does not have the latitude to lose a war. For a while, Israel looked like it was bogged down by Hezbollah. But that was never the case. Israel was only bogged down by her own sense of morality.

Despite public criticism to the contrary, Israel proceeded with restraint even at the expense of her own well-being. This leaves her supporters with mixed emotions. On the one hand, there is tremendous pride in Israel’s higher moral calling. On the other hand, there are questions to be asked. Questions like is it right to put your own population and military at risk to save the lives of those who either willingly or unwillingly housed terrorists?

What should be clear is that Israel did not show restraint in order to curry public favor – that they would be criticized was clear from the outset. It was only a question of time. How long would it take the “hatred” lobby at the UN and all their minions to condemn Israel and call for a cease-fire?

Golda Meir once said that she could forgive the Arabs for killing Israel’s children but that she could not forgive them for forcing Israel to kill theirs. It is a sentiment that is too noble for this world, but nonetheless it was the operative sentiment in the policy decisions made by Israel this week.

There is much speculation as to why the world hates Israel. No one knows for sure, but let us toss yet another reason into the pot. Maybe, just maybe, it is the very decency and high standards of Israel they resent. It makes for a brutal mirror.