Former NYC Mayor Ed Koch wrote the following commentary about the situation in Israel and Gaza:

January 5, 2009

Israel Is Exercising Its Right of Self-Defense

Opponents and enemies of Israel are in full hue and cry over Israel’s attack on the terrorist organization Hamas and its government and military installations in Gaza. The main criticism is that the Israeli response to the rocketing of southern Israel is “disproportionate.” There is little, if any, dispute that Israel’s goal of ending all rocket attacks on Israel and its civilian population, is reasonable and indeed sanctioned by international law. continue reading…

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Humanitarian aid trucks, loaded with 1,119 tons of supplies, were transferred through the Kerem Shalom Crossing into the Gaza Strip today. The products transferred include flour, medical equipment, and medicine donated by international organizations and several countries, such as: United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), United Nations World Food Programme, the Red Cross, the Egyptian Government, and the Jordanian Government. In addition, 215,000 liters of diesel were transferred to support the activities of UNRWA and 45 tons of natural gas for use in civilian homes.

All photos courtesy IDF Spokesperson.

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Two opinion pieces in today’s paper discuss the current operations against Hamas in light of the worldwide efforts to combat terrorist entities.  William Kristol, writing in the New York Times, discusses how Israel has managed to learn from her mistakes made in conducting a war against Hizbullah two years ago.  He also notes that Israel does not have to hold onto Gaza for this counterterrorism operation to succeed, an important point that has not been made enough.

An editorial in the Wall Street Journal (subscription required) makes many of the same points, but emphasizes the role these operations play in fighting the extremist ideologies backed by Iran.  As long as Israel’s military is able to send a forceful and convincing message to Iran and her allies, the moderates in the Middle East–as well as Europe and the United States–will all be better off.

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As this video shows, evidently, Hamas does.  Upon entering Gaza, the IDF has found tunnels and stores of weapons in some pretty strange places–many of which are in civilian areas (like the bathroom above).

You can find more videos and footage on YouTube.

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Three crossings into Gaza were open today (05 January).  This allowed approximately 80 truckloads of supplies and 200,000 liters of gasoline (for the Gaza power plant) to enter the Gaza Strip.

Israel has been working with the International Committee of the Red Cross to conduct necessary humanitarian work in the Gaza Strip.  The ICRC reports that a war surgery team has received authorization to enter Gaza (which it has done) and that it has escorted teams of Palestinian technicians working to repair water mains and power lines in the northern Gaza Strip.  In addition, Israel and the ICRC have worked to ensure safe passage to even the most dangerous areas for ambulances and a fire brigade.

Finally, Israel has actively assisted the many non-governmental organizations working in Gaza to help the Palestinian people.  At a meeting yesterday (04 January), NGO representatives discussed some of the more pressing problems with the Israeli government including: availability of wheat and gasoline and a shortage of cash.
During the second part of the meeting, Foreign Minister Livni herself met with the NGO representatives to better understand the situation on the ground from their point of view.  The NGOs expressed their satisfaction with the level of Israeli cooperation.
At this meeting, the representative of the World Health Organization mentioned that setting up a field hospital was not necessary.  He did note, however, that the Palestinians were preventing the wounded from being evacuated to Israel, preferring that they be evacuated to Egypt.

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President Shimon Peres appeared yesterday on ABC’s “This Week” with George Stephanopoulos.  He discussed Israel’s position on the six-month “state of calm” that expired last month and insisted that a future ceasefire must ensure that no further terror emanate from Gaza.  You can read more of the President’s comments and watch video excerpts of the interview on the George’s Bottom Line blog.

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With the IDF now operating on the ground in several sectors of the Gaza Strip, Operation “Cast Lead” is well into its second stage.  Unfortunately, Israeli divisions have begun to suffer their casualties and the loss of one soldier.  The military expected Hamas to fight back; so far, however, the missions have continued according to plan.  In a Haaretz piece, Amos Harel and Avi Issacharoff discuss how much time this operation will be given to succeed.  While pressure may come from the international community, the greatest source of pressure can come from the home front, especially with the reports of casualties from Gaza.  The authors note that the current operations are quite dissimilar from those in Lebanon in 2006 and is by no means a failure.  There is no also reason to make it seem like one.

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New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, accompanied by Police Commissioner Ray Kelly and US Congressman Gary Ackerman, visited Israel today for a one-day solidarity mission.  During his short stay, he managed to meet with Foreign Minister Livni, Prime Minister Olmert, and residents of Sderot and Ashkelon.  Bloomberg took in the sight of Barzilai Medical Center’s underground facility and had to be hustledto a safe space after a Qassam rocket threatened his party in Sderot.  More about the specifics of this trip is available on Bloomberg News.

You can also watch a video of the visit from ABC.

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People have asked us this question through our twitter account and the blog. Here is what Consul David Saranga has to say on the matter of today’s ground operation:

Hamas still maintains the capacity and will to engage in terrorism. With Iranian assistance, Hamas has extended the reach of its missile strikes to threaten close to one million Israelis. By using Mosques, private homes and other public institutions as arsenals and bases of operation, Hamas has effectively taken the Palestinians of Gaza hostage, using them as human shields.

Over many years Israel has tried to bring an end to the terror attacks from Gaza and was unsuccessful. Hamas abused its truce with Israel not only to keep firing missiles against the civilian population, but also to stockpile weapons and prepare for a confrontation with the IDF.  Israel has no intention to govern Gaza, but operation “Cast Lead” must continue, for the time being, as the IDF acts to gain control over areas from which rockets are being launched on Israeli towns.

Israel must persist in order to achieve its stated objectives: to significantly disable the terrorist infrastructure of Hamas and produce lasting change in the security predicament affecting residents of southern Israel.  No sovereign nation would tolerate the daily targeting of its people.  Still, Israel is not an enemy of the Palestinian residents in Gaza: 400 trucks of humanitarian aid and 10 ambulances were allowed passage into Gaza this week; this assistance will continue.

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Image via Wikipedia

NEWS RELEASE
Governor Jon S. Corzine
January 3, 2009

TRENTON – Governor Jon S. Corzine today issued the following statement regarding the current crisis in the Middle East:

“The current crisis in Israel and Gaza reflects a fundamental truth: Violence begets violence.  What is happening now in the region underscores two important issues:

“First, all countries around the world have the absolute right and the responsibility to defend themselves against attacks on their people and their sovereignty.  Israel has justly asserted that right and responsibility, as any country would, in the face of consistent and recently-increased destructive rocket bombardments against its territory and its citizens by Hamas.  Civilized people everywhere must speak out against terrorist acts.

“Second, the breakdown of the Gaza ceasefire and resumption of violence are tragic reminders of the urgency to work toward comprehensive peace in the Middle East.

“Along with people of all backgrounds and faiths, I mourn the loss of innocent life and believe we are compelled by our common humanity to ensure that critical aid and assistance flow unhindered to innocent civilians in Gaza.  I hope all parties respond to the urgent needs of the civilian population, and applaud Israel’s decision to open the borders for the life-saving work of United Nations agencies, the Red Cross and other humanitarian organizations.

“I pray the New Year will bring renewed efforts toward peace.”

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