The Glass Building

Less than an hour ago, a Palestinian terrorist blew himself up outside the old Bus Station in Tel Aviv. Early reports indicate 9 Israelis died, with upwards of 60 casualties. Islamic Jihad took responsibility for the bombing....committed by a 16 year old.

In the Middle East, things function differently than here in Canada. It's the whole clash of civilisations debate. East versus West. We stand for liberty, democracy and freedom. They stand for despotism, Islamism and terrorism. We value life. They value death. We value growth and change, human rights and expression. They value hoarding wealth, keeping citizens dirt poor and the dissemanation of misinformation and half-truths. And who suffers, dear friend?

Obviously, Israeli citizens suffer for it. Scores of dead and wounded; injured...emotionally and physically scarred...living reminders of the horrors people can commit against others. All for what? For whom? Committed in the name of Allah, in the name of jihad, in the name of a right to defend oneself against occupation? All bullshit.

It's done for one reason and one reason only....FEAR.

Islamist groups such as Hamas and Islamic Jihad operate with the sole purpose of making Israelis so scared to live their lives that the government is forced to acquiesce to the terrorists demands. One would think that 60 years of failed terror directed at Israelis would teach these barbarians that their fear tactic will not work....but they continue. They continue to target civilians with a hate-filled fury; with vitriolic statements about reasons. But these are not reasons for terror, these are simply excuses.

Unfortunately, the Israeli government has gotten quite good at retaliating. But now, with Hamas in power, an opportunity presents itself....an opportunity unseen the past few decades. As the international community continues to deny aid to the Hamas led PA; as pressure mounts on Hamas to recognize Israel (it will never happen!), the IDF has the unique opportunity to really dig into the hornest's nest and root out the terror cells. Now is the time to strike. Now is the time to demonstarte the true strength of the Israeli Defense Forces. Now is the time to show the Palestinians, the Arab world and the international community that the Israeli government is committed to defending their citizens; committed to destroying terror; committed to the Western, democratic way of life.

And as Canadians who enjoy the fruit of democracy's labour, we must stand side by side with the Israeli government and demonstrate to the world that democracies will stick together through thick and thin. And in these thick times, it's more important than ever.