The Rabbinical Council of America fully supports the government of Israel in its campaign to stop heinous terrorist attacks directed for too long against Israeli civilians. Hamas must bear full responsibility for the current loss of life in Gaza, in light of its direct complicity in encouraging, supporting, and carrying out acts of Islamist terror.
 
No responsible government can be expected to refrain from action when its citizens face deadly rockets from across its border. Israel has every right and obligation to respond as it has, with the force it deems appropriate and necessary to fully eliminate the terrorist threat.
 
That civilians in Gaza are being killed in spite of the efforts of Israel’s citizen army to target only terrorists and combatants is the direct result of the cynical policy of Hamas to use its civilian population as a shield, hiding behind women and children, while placing and firing weapons of war in mosques, schools, universities, and apartment buildings.
 
We commend the government of the United States for its unambiguous support of Israel’s actions over the last few days. We congratulate the Bush administration for its recognition that responsibility for the violence lies entirely on the heads of the leaders, enablers, and supporters of Hamas and its allies. As with the pursuit of Al-Qaeda and its offshoots, terror must be met with resolve and force, as needed.
 
We urge all governments and international bodies to ensure that Israel be given the time needed to complete its necessary military goals. Only in that way will the forces of terror and hatred in the Middle East and beyond be weakened to the point that more moderate elements will be able to pursue real peace between Israel and her neighbors.

(YWN Desk – NYC)