By most accounts, the start of Operation Cast Lead has unveiled the true feelings and loyalties of Israeli Arabs, citizens and lawmakers alike, including the deputy foreign minister, a member of the Israeli Arab community as well.

Since Shabbos, when the operation was launched, the Israeli Arab community at large has been extremely vocal in the condemnatory messages against Israel, the government, accusing Israel of being guilty against crimes against humanity. Violence has been seen around the country in Israeli Arab population centers, and the Arab citizens of the country have made their position clear, they are willing to endure rockets slamming into Sderot, but not an Israeli retaliatory action to halt the Kassam fire.

One of the more talented spokesmen is MK Dr. Ahmed Tibi, who does not hesitate to condemn Israel and the ongoing operation, unwilling to relate to eight years of rockets pounding southern residents.

The radical left-wing Meretz Party is in somewhat of a quandary since it realizes the majority of the country supports the operation, but it has been paying for large ad space in the daily Haaretz and other forums demanding a ceasefire, opposing any ground forces incursion into Gaza.

A poll released on Wednesday for the Mishal Am TV program indicates that 58% of the nation opposes a ceasefire at present, but there is a sizable number in support on the other hand, 42%.

Proponents of the offensive feel that since we have seen immeasurable siyata d’shmaiya, since most rockets have not resulted in injuries. As such, many citizens are not really aware of the threat and perhaps do not realize the magnitude of the Hamas offensive against civilian population centers.

Opponents of the IDF operation use the Second Lebanon War to support their position, warning that chas v’sholom there will be a very high toll if the army is sent in.

During an interview a number of weeks ago with MK Effie Eitam, a former IDF brigadier-general and combat officer until his last day of service, he explained that any nation that is unwilling to pay a price to prevent attacks on its residents has no right to maintain an army. Eitam, who is Shomer Shabbos, has children serving in elite units today, explained that the army’s justification for funding and existence is the reality that if chas v’sholom they must be called to action, they must act as a buffer between the threat and the civilian population, to protect the citizens of Israel, and yes, at times, there is a price for this.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)