So, why is Hamas firing rockets at Israelis?
The U.S. considers the democratically elected Hamas organization to be a terrorist organization (as does Israel). Hamas attacks Israel in ways that terrorists attack countries---it employs guerrilla warfare while Israel employs military operations that only rich countries with rich U.S. support can employ.
The White House said in response to the attacks:
“"Hamas' continued rocket attacks into Israel must cease if the violence is to stop. Hamas must end its terrorist activities if it wishes to play a role in the future of the Palestinian people.
"The United States urges Israel to avoid civilian casualties as it targets Hamas in Gaza."
Barack Obama, on vacation, could not offer a comment. But, as Justin Raimondo over at Antiwar.com suggests, he probably would side with the Israelis.
Raimondo has links that lead to this letter from then-Senator Obama and it explains why Obama might think Israel has a right to respond to Hamas rocket fire.
Dear Ambassador Khalilzad,
I understand that today the UN Security Council met regarding the situation in Gaza, and that a resolution or statement could be forthcoming from the Council in short order.
I urge you to ensure that the Security Council issue no statement and pass no resolution on this matter that does not fully condemn the rocket assault Hamas has been conducting on civilians in southern Israel…
All of us are concerned about the impact of closed border crossings on Palestinian families. However, we have to understand why Israel is forced to do this… Israel has the right to respond while seeking to minimize any impact on civilians.
The Security Council should clearly and unequivocally condemn the rocket attacks… If it cannot bring itself to make these common sense points, I urge you to ensure that it does not speak at all.
Sincerely,
Barack Obama
United States Senator
That was Obama then. Perhaps, we should consider Obama’s reaction to Carter’s trip to the Middle East to meet with Hamas as an indication of what he is really thinking now.
Carter said of his trip in April of this year:
