Promises, Promises

Another tried-and-true Kosher Hedgehog technique for a quickie post is to grab something off the Dry Bones Blog. In this cartoon, Kirschen follows the continuing disgrace of the failure of the government of Israel to adequately protect the citizens of Sderot, the unfortunate town in the Negev that has for so many months been the artillery and missile range of Hamas and Islamic Jihad in Gaza.

Right now Tijuana is a chaotic locale, with running gun battles between rival narco-gangs, police and troops a frequent occurrence in its streets. Imagine if one of those factions started lobbing mortar shells and rockets at Chula Vista, California. How long would it be before U.S. troops entered to stop the outrage?

Well, since the Hamas took over the Gaza Strip in mid-June 2007 until the end of January 2008, 697 missiles (of which 241 in January alone) and 822 mortar bombs have been fired at Sderot and the western Negev. Not that Sderot fared any better under the PA-administration of Sderot. From the departure of the last Israeli from Gaza in August 2005 through the end of 2006, 1916 missiles were fired at Sderot and the Western Negev from Gaza.

Rick Richman at Jewish Current Issues has been all over the Sderot story, but, after a deadly attack on Saturday, February 9th, which seriously wounded 8-year old Osher Twito and his 19-year old brother Rami, requiring the amputation of both of Osher's legs, Rick could only write in frustration, "If only there were a Jewish state to protect these people." Maybe someday, Rick, maybe someday.