I am writing in regard to Travis Hornsby's guest column, "Mideast trip reveals need for peace."
I traveled to Israel during my summer break in 2008 and experienced first-hand Israeli culture and politics. From security briefings with Israeli and Arab academics, journalists, mayors and members of the Knesset, I was able to engage in question-and-answer sessions with people who make policy and lead America's strongest ally in the Middle East.
Israel is the only democracy in the region and helps others in times of need. For example, I met with an Ethiopian who was rescued from impending death at the hands of radical Islamists by Israeli Defense Forces.
Israel strives for peace with its neighbors and only responds to violence when necessary, unlike Mr. Hornsby's assertion that, "violence will bring only more violence," implying that Israel is the aggressor in all situations. If only he were addressing that statement to Hamas' leaders, who fire thousands of indiscriminate rocket attacks against Israeli civilians and children in the southern town of Sderot.
Even President Barack Obama, who by no means is considered a security hawk, said, "If somebody was sending rockets into my house where my two daughters sleep at night, I would do everything to stop that and would expect Israel to do the same thing." Children have been killed, maimed and traumatized psychologically by living in a state of fear in Sderot where they only have 15 seconds to run for a bomb shelter when sirens sound off warning of an incoming Qassam rocket. When Israel defends its citizens, it uses tactical strikes designed to minimize collateral damage and harm to innocent civilians.
The Israeli Defense Forces released a video this summer showing a Hamas terrorist burying a roadside bomb then running into a building filled with civilians who then walked out waving white flags. Instead of bombing the building, the IDF arrested the terrorist and avoided mass casualties.
The American taxpayer referenced in Mr. Hornsby's column supports Israel's security needs because Israel is surrounded by totalitarian and aggressive regimes. More than three-quarters of every dollar provided to Israel in assistance is spent on U.S. goods and services, thereby stimulating the American economy. What Mr. Hornsby failed to mention is that the second-largest recipient of U.S. foreign aid is the Arab Republic of Egypt.
The "wall" Mr. Hornsby references in his column is actually a security fence constructed to prevent suicide bomb attacks during the Second Intifada. I toured the security fence with the Israeli Commander who was charged with choosing its location and overseeing its construction. The security fence often is called a wall in spite of the fact that less than five percent is made out of concrete compared with chain-link fencing. Concrete was used only in areas where Palestinians were shooting directly into Israeli homes.
While in Israel, I witnessed the aftermath of a terrorist attack. A Palestinian construction worker hijacked a construction truck and plowed through a pedestrian mall while purposefully ramming the truck into cafes and a bus full of Israeli civilians.
Perhaps the greatest misconception in Mr. Hornsby's column is his statement that, "Israel can only be sustainable if it comes to an agreement with the Palestinians." This statement ignores history and the facts: The Palestinians have rejected statehood offered to them since the 1940s. To be fair, Palestinian extremists are typically the ones who refuse statehood and unfortunately lead their people away from fair deals, such as 1947's U.N. Partition Plan, the 1993 Oslo Peace Agreement and a 2000 offer at Camp David rejected by Yasir Arafat. The blame for the situation of the Palestinians cannot be solely positioned on Israel - Arab states in the region have not offered to help their Arab brothers and sisters in any meaningful or humanitarian way, thereby perpetuating the conflict.
Any reader of yesterday's column should be particularly alarmed at Mr. Hornsby's rationalization of the terrorist group Hamas when he began a statement, "Even Hamas has said," as if they are a pragmatic regime seeking the best interests of the Palestinians. The conflict in the Middle East and defending the state of Israel are American issues. I am Roman Catholic and firmly believe in supporting America's only true friend in the Middle East. Columns devoid of facts will only perpetuate confusion, misconceptions and ill will toward Israel.
Rafael Yaniz is President of Gators for Israel and is a Political Science junior.
