Gates: Israel Has ‘Right to Self-Defense‘ Against ’Repugnant Attacks’
- Posted on March 24, 2011 at 5:50pm by
Meredith Jessup
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JERUSALEM (AP/The Blaze) – Palestinian militants in Gaza fired a new wave of rockets that landed deep inside Israel Thursday, defying Israeli retaliatory attacks and threats.
As the violence threatened to escalate the day after a deadly Jerusalem bombing, Israel got a boost from the visiting U.S. defense chief, who said no country could tolerate the “repugnant” attacks on its soil.
Police said Gaza militants fired 10 rockets and mortars toward Israel Thursday, including two rockets that exploded north of the city of Ashdod, a main Mediterranean port city about 20 miles (30 kilometers) north of Gaza — a first since Israel and Gaza’s Hamas rulers reached an unofficial truce following a three-week war that ended in January 2009. Israeli airstrikes hit a number of Gaza targets in retaliation throughout the day.
Neither side reported injuries or said they wanted a new fight. But the new hostilities could easily spin out of control, especially if civilian deaths mount.
Wednesday’s bombing killed a British tourist, and five members of a Jewish family were slain while they slept in a West Bank settlement earlier this month. Israel has blamed Palestinians for both attacks.
Also this week, Israeli shelling killed three children and their uncle in Gaza. The army said it was targeting militants.
The fighting in Gaza has been the fiercest since Israel went to war there to try to curb years of rocket attacks. The fierce three-week offensive killed some 1,400 Palestinians, including hundreds of civilians. Thirteen Israelis also died. The volatile border has remained largely calm since.
Israel says Hamas has used the lull to rearm with longer distance rockets that can reach as far as Tel Aviv, about 30 miles (50 kilometers) from Gaza.
The Israeli Defense Force released this footage Wednesday, claiming its Navy intercepted 50 tons of sophisticated military weapons bound for Gaza concealed in civilian cargo containers:
“According to intelligence assessments, the missiles were intended to be used in attacks from the Gaza Strip against both Israeli Navy and civilian ships, as well as infrastructure near the sea including natural gas reservoirs,” the video states.
As for ongoing attacks, Defense Minister Ehud Barak blamed Hamas for the rocket fire and vowed that Israel would strike back. “Israel will not tolerate these terror attacks and we will not allow terror to rise once again in the region,” he said.
His tough stance was backed by visiting U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates, who said that no sovereign state could tolerate rockets fired at its people.
“Israel, like all nations, has the right to self-defense and to bring to justice the perpetrators of these repugnant attacks,” he said.
Citing gag orders, Israeli security officials have said little about the investigations into Wednesday’s bus stop bombing or the knife killings two weeks ago.
Officials identified the victim of the Jerusalem bombing as Mary Jean Gardner, a 59-year-old British tourist who had been taking courses at Jerusalem’s Hebrew University. In Washington, the State Department said five of the wounded were Americans, one of whom remains hospitalized.
On Thursday President Barack Obama called Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to offer condolences. The White House said Obama reaffirmed the U.S. commitment to Israel’s security.
Police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said Jerusalem and southern Israel remained on a heightened state of alert.
Israeli counterterrorism expert Boaz Ganor said the bombing and knifing attacks appeared to be individual initiatives, as opposed to the organized attacks by militant groups that Israel usually faces.
The former usually kill fewer people, but are more difficult to stop, he added.
“Israeli intelligence is quite good in thwarting suicide attacks,” he said. “It may be less able to deal with local and personal attacks.”
Israeli police officials, speaking on condition of anonymity because of the sensitive nature of the investigations, said that even if the attacks were individual acts, Israel believes Hamas guided and motivated the attackers.
Yitzhak Reiter, a Mideast expert at the Hebrew University, said Islamist groups are currently seeking an alternative to suicide bombings, which largely backfired in the last decade by turning world opinion against them.
Peace talks between Israel and Hamas’ rival, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, collapsed after the 2008 war, reviving only briefly for three weeks in September 2010.
Abbas, who rules on in the West Bank, has rejected violence and condemned Wednesday’s bombing.
Hamas, which violently wrested control of Gaza from Abbas loyalists in June 2007, sees the diplomatic standstill as proof that only an armed struggle will win the Palestinians a state.























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Comments (81)
Major_Skidmark
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 7:28amIsrael being betrayed to “appease” the Arab/Muslim world.
It isn’t a hard fact to support that Obama is the most anti-Israel president in my lifetime. I feel that the Obama administration thinks Israel is the root cause of Islamic Terrorism against the United States. I believe Barack Obama is an anti-semite. He sat in Rev Wright‘s church for 20 years without a SINGLE objection to Rev Wright’s infamous sermons against Israel. I believe Obama plans to sacrifice Israel, one of our closest allies in the world, to radical Islam to try to appease them. He is dangling Israel like a hunk of meat in front of jackals. Mubarak was a evil dictator, Obama supported his ouster for one simple reason: He knows that the uber anti-Israel Muslim Brotherhood will gain power. Egypt is the key because of their powerful military. A military that the US has trained and armed. 350+ F16′s, 1500 M1 tanks. Israel would be quite foolish not to fear Egypt’s military.
Hamas has taken the cue, they have stepped up attacks from Gaza. They slaughtered the Fogel family. An act so evil that they know Israel will have to respond. To further push the desire to have Israel respond they have also stepped up rocket attacks from Gaza. You heard me correctly, they want Israel to respond. The US press has almost totally ignored the terrorist attacks from Hamas against Israel. When Israel finally can no longer restrain their selves they will be cast as the aggressor. Hamas will request that Egypt defend them in Gaza, and the last poll shows 80+% support in Egypt for the destruction of Israel.
Obama will not come to Israel’s aid. He has ensured a oil crisis in the USA. He hopes to have the US public so distracted by high gas prices and the deadly affect it will have on US jobs, that they will be too concerned with their own survival to pay much attention to Israel’s plight. His plan has one major flaw, attributed to his naivete and amateurism. Appeasement has never worked. Not in Rome to the barbarians, not in Europe to Hitler. Islam needs a common enemy to unite it’s factions. If they no longer have the hatred of Israel to focus upon they will turn on each other. Islam will need a new enemy. This will become the USA.
My last thought goes out to the Jews of the USA. The next time, if we are lucky enough to have a “next time”, someone has a concern about a candidate who spent 20 years in a anti-semetic church – PAY ATTENTION! Your unwillingness to ask the tough questions about Barack Obama may very well have doomed Israel. I ask the Jews of Israel to write their relatives here in the USA and give them a good verbal thrashing for supporting Obama.
Report Post »staggerlee32
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 8:40amAmen!
Report Post »independentvoteril
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 2:37pmwith you on this.. well said.. I know to many who were convinced with the mob mentality and voted for him.. one even has the nerve to say it‘s NOT their fault the REPUBLICAN’S didn’t run anyone good.. Just an excuse if they felt that way they could have voted 3rd party.. but they BOUGHT into the propaganda pure and simple.. and they KNEW his background they are from CHICAGO.. born and raised Catholic which teaches that ISRAEL is GOD’S chosen land..
Report Post »macpappy
Posted on March 26, 2011 at 1:45amYeah, and all you Christians too. This man is an enemy of our country, he should be run from office not running for office.
Report Post »popeyebedford
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 7:03amSElf defense is a given. Gates doesn’t need to bless it….
Report Post »louise
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 6:27amwhen it comes to Israel, they are our only true ally in the middle east. Someone please tell me why we are rushing to help Libya, and not standing steadfastly in alliance with our ally, Israel? This is crazy stuff.
Report Post »insight
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 6:26amWhy is Israel a partisan issue?
Report Post »I can understand (but not agree with) an anti-Semitic point of view, but why does the left not like Israel?
Polecat
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 3:29pmI figured it out. INDIVIDUAL FREE WILL is exclusive to the Judeo-Christian belief, all the other -isms are a form of Slavery. The concept of INDIVIDUAL FREE WILL MUST BE DESTROYED.
Report Post »Muhammadwasatansprophet
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 6:25amZech 12:2-3 Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of trembling unto all the people round about… And in that day will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people: all that burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces.
Report Post »Muhammadwasatansprophet
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 6:23am“FOR BEHOLD, in those days and at that time when I shall reverse the captivity and restore the fortunes of Judah and Jerusalem, I will gather all nations and will bring them down into the Valley of Jehoshaphat, and there will I deal with and execute judgment upon them for their treatment of My people and of My heritage Israel, whom they have scattered among the nations and because they have divided My land.”
Report Post »EP46
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 6:04amGlenn brought up a horrible thought yesterday. If Egypt is taken over by the Muslim Brotherhood and they turn the Egyptian military against Israel, that would be a true holocaust
Report Post »The Armed Forces of Egypt are the largest on the African continent, in the Arab world and one of the largest in the world. Mohamed Hussein Tantawi Soliman is the leader of the Egyptian military and he is 75 yrs. old. Will they get rid of him too? Is he too pro-Israel ?
macpappy
Posted on March 26, 2011 at 1:34amI beg to differ. Israel has kicked that butt before and would do it again. The last time Israel was out number in man power and weapons, and still kicked tail in record time. Besides, if the Army is too big, Israel has the tools to knock it down to size.
Report Post »Never count the Israelis out
Marylou7
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 5:39amOn Thursday President Barack Obama called Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to offer condolences. The White House said Obama reaffirmed the U.S. commitment to Israel’s security.
——————
Report Post »The American people ARE committed to Israel’s security, but Obama? Does anyone actually believe Obama has any respect for Israel…..GET REAL.
staggerlee32
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 8:35amDid you see Glenn on Fox yesterday? If not go to http://www.watchglennbeck.com and watch it.
Report Post »welovetheUSA
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 5:21amIsrael has Every right to protect their people and country….all these idoits who think they can just go in and kill another countries people are hateful idoits..it has to stop, they are America’s alies and we must protect them. Hving people in the White House like Samantha Power-Cass Sunstens wife who actually is our security advisor and tells Obama to destroy Israel, needs to be thrown out of our White House..Valarie Jarrett another Israel hater, George Soros..Steven Learner…Jamie Gorelick..these card carrying jewish haters have no business in the White House, period. They all should be brought before congress and investigated for treason. Look who this president surrounds himself with, these hateful radicals…the list is endless. 2012 folks..get these rats out of there.
Report Post »fletcher1
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 3:53amIt is written in the Bible, very clearly, that while it may seem that the enemies of Isreal are getting the upper hand, in the end God will destroy those who try to wipe the entire exsistance of Isreal out. She will have hard times, but will not be destroyed. We should be on our knees praying, (llCorinthians 7:14), that we get the evilness of the Obama regime out of the Whitehouse, and put some good people in there who will stand beside Isreal. God will protect both Isreal, and those that stand with them.
Report Post »MinnesotaMARINE
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 3:31amA gradual ramp to ww III
Report Post »loadingmyclips
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 9:05amWell it looks like the ragheads want WWIII They are causing trouble everywhere, begging for a fight. So be careful what you ask for WOGS, you will probably run out of suicide bombers before we run out of missles.
Report Post »Psychosis
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 3:31amattack Israel at your own peril.
trust me they are more than able to hold their own against any attack, and even the U.S. would think twice before attacking them. Even with our superior numbers even we would have difficulty accepting the cost in life
in the end, though, the U .S. will side with Israel, with or without the administrations “ permission” Our armed forces support Israel, and the administration would be ending itself if it attempted it. so would the U.N. if they attempted to use the responsibility 2 protect act, like in libya, to “ protect the palestinians from war crimes” like the author of that crappy program designed it to be .
Report Post »macpappy
Posted on March 26, 2011 at 1:29amWhen backed into a corner they will come out fighting and they are capable of waging war on a scale that only a major super power would think twice about. Besides how do you beat a country that has the bomb and will use it?
Report Post »Thomas Morato
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 3:28amGates: Israel Has ‘Right to Self-Defense‘ Against ’Repugnant Attacks’
repugnant [rɪˈpʌgnənt] adj
1. repellent to the senses; causing aversion
2. distasteful; offensive; disgusting
3. contradictory; inconsistent or incompatible
I think Gaddafi would consider the strikes against his country as repugnant also… Remind me who started the conflict in Libya again? Our government officials are out of control and such hypocrites.
Report Post »EP46
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 6:09am‘our government’ is doing just what the PUPPET was put in place to do…destroy America, destroy Israel…set up New World Order. So far, the PUPPET is performing well. Overwhelm our country at home and disrupt the world. Well done PUPPET.
Report Post »ThoreauHD
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 3:23amMaybe Gates can send a memo to the self-hating Jews in Hollywood. Apparently there’s a suicide gene they acquire when they move to California.
Report Post »gregory.prunty@gmail.com
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 3:14amon behalf of Christians in the U.S.A. I am so sorry you are,well being a sacrificial lamb, Israel we love our Jewish father Lord Christ Almighty If there were anything I could do besides voting I would God bless you all. He shall provide!
Report Post »riseandshine
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 2:59amOf course Israel has the right to defend itself. But we shouldn‘t be fighting Israel’s conflicts. It will always be the Holy Land over there, where the Lord walked, no matter who occupies the land
Report Post »analogiafidei
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 2:43amThe primary difference between the Muslim god, and the Christian God; is that the former is singular (unitarian), and the latter is triune. Allah is capricious, and the Christian God is loving and relational (by nature in His inner-relations).
I wonder how genuine Gates’ gesture and affirmation toward Israel actually is? There seems to be enough dissonance present amongst Obama’s administration that the right hand can pretty much act completely independent of the left hand and vice versa (evinced by the incongruity in “message” recently expressed amongst cabinet members per the Libya situation). So maybe Gates‘ affirmation of Israel is genuine and independent of Obama’s pan-internationalist worldview and policy making. Who’s to say . . .
Report Post »Polecat
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 2:43amAll these ideologies have little in common except their hatred of Israel and the United States. Ever wonder why? Well I figured it out. INDIVIDUAL FREE WILL is exclusive to the Judeo-Christian belief, all the other -isms are a form of Slavery. The concept of INDIVIDUAL FREE WILL MUST BE DESTROYED.
Socialism = Slavery to Society
Communism = Slavery to Community
Nazism = Slavery to Nation
Liberalism = Slavery to Victimhood
Islam = Slaver to the will of Allah
Slavery cannot exist in a FREE society, and more importantly Individual Free Will cannot possibly be allowed to exist in a slave society.
Report Post »aLinedog
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 3:06amFactual Correction:
Report Post »Nazism is a form of Fascism (slavery to a dictator)
Socialism and Communism are really bastard versions of each other. The former is Statism masquerading as a free society, the latter is Statism without the veneer.
Nationalism is the word I think Polecat was looking for.
_______________________________
Ed. note: I prefer to call it Loyalty -I’m a bit of a nationalist, myself. Provided my nation continues to follow a republican form of gvt.
-line
Polecat
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 3:15pmThe Nazis were National Socialist, a Fascist Socialism with a veneer of ultra-nationalism (nationalism at the expense of individual freedom). I think healthy nationalism is the result of being proud of what can be accomplished here.
Report Post »macpappy
Posted on March 26, 2011 at 1:21amFactual correction:
Report Post »Nazi is short in German for National Socialist.
Lord_Frostwind
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 2:35amShow no mercy, Hamas won’t negotiate until they are on their knees!
Report Post »Guerrino_P
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 7:35amAmen! Let’s hope it happens soon.
Report Post »flatbroke
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 2:33amno one can see isreal going thru another holocaust, no one would blame them for that. so they are going to kick A$$. and they should.
Report Post »Lord_Frostwind
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 2:31amIt is long past time someone put the fear of death back into the Palestinians. And if it takes wiping out a generation of fathers and sons to accomplish it, so be it. Maybe then they will remember just what the price of their hatred is. The Israeli’s have put up with this for long enough.
Report Post »UpstateNYConservative
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 2:27amYes, Israel has right to self-defense. After…
1. They stop being Jewish
2. They stop building homes
3. They stop being in Israel.
That about covers the Leftist view. Or did I miss anything?
Report Post »Marylou7
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 5:43amThe pretty much sums it up. God has other ideas though.
Report Post »Dave In Arizona
Posted on March 26, 2011 at 2:38amYou forgot “pack up and leave.”
Report Post »aLinedog
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 2:10amI often wonder how anyone can profess a love for God and be simultaneously anti-semetic. I understand the Arabs hatred, it’s dogmatic. I used to think we had the same God, just a different name -I was mistaken.
Report Post »Given: Genocide is an evil act.
A nation, creed, religion, or otherwise grouped peoples feel righteous in denying another race’s right to exist. Same group regularly threatens annhilation of the latter. Since it is safe to assume that said grouping will eventually attempt genocide, can we not conclude they are evil?
Problem: Why are we attacking everyone BUT Iran?
And what claim does Palestine have? Rome took the land from the Jews, as I recall. I’m sick of that nonsense.
I would like to offer platitudes of support and consolation -to/for Israel, however I cannot. I have a little issue with actually looking forward to getting the hell outta here… so if the whole world decides to get stupid I’m cool with that. I’m not suicidal or anything; I’m just ready to go play on the Big Rides.
So:
“Ya’ll get all kitted up to go get your asses kicked, I’m gonna sit here on my porch. I‘ll reflect on man’s moral (that keeps the list manageable) accomplishments and raise my glass to History. Some music, perhaps, while I wait for those glorious trumpets to sound.”
-Line
Miami
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 2:17amLove for a god does not mean love of God…
Report Post »aLinedog
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 2:56amyes, and a love for God is different than love for A god.
-line
Report Post »My God does not approve of premeditated killing based on hate or gain. That’s called murder.
felina g
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 6:19amhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MIJaxu3w4-U
This is our American heritage and the price we paid for our Republic. Lest we forget…………
God bless all who have fought to keep us free. Please pass along if you feel the urge.
Report Post »macpappy
Posted on March 26, 2011 at 1:18am“I often wonder how anyone can profess a love for God and be simultaneously anti-semetic.”
Let’s see; because they don’t believe that Jesus is the Son Of God, therefore not the Messiah. I mean that’s why most Christians are Anti-Semitic. I think everyone else because they are envious of their business skills.
Report Post »HairRazor
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 1:32amGive ‘em hell Israel !!! no half measures, just do the job.
Report Post »Miami
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 2:22amI believe that’s what they want, after all the Madi sounds a lot like the Anti-Christ… a thousand years under Sharia sure sounds like Hell on earth.
Report Post »Miguelito
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 7:56amGod’s speed Israel. We are praying for you everyday!
Report Post »JD Carp
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 12:28pmLet5 me tell you, I have worked with the Israelis and if they get pi$$ed off you have never seen the hell they will rain down on their enemies.
Report Post »guscas
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 1:25amReally gates…?? …..Isarel was waiting for your permission.
Report Post »Miami
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 2:15amIt‘s time for Gaza’s terrorist to go the way of the dinosaur.
Find who sent the weapons to Gaza and return them, LIVE. Fifty thousand pounds, should make a nice creator…hell add a megaton or fifty just for kicks.
Report Post »Thatsitivehadenough
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 2:33amIf only I could believe the US would really stand up for Israel, I’d feel better. I wonder if Gates got permission from Obama to say this?
And:
“Israel believes Hamas guided and motivated the attackers.”
Report Post »Well, I suppose since Hamas teaches even their tiniest tots to hate Israel and the Jews, one could say this with complete accuracy.
cheezwhiz
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 3:33amDoes Gates realize that his boss had his own people bust open the Rafah crossing into Gaza a few months ago after the revolution in Egypt ?
Report Post »Now he is commenting on Israel’s right to defend itself ? After Hussain and Ayers and Dohrn and Khalidi and pepto-hags handed over the entrance @ Gaza to Muslim brotherhood ?
Does he even know what the equation is there now, with that border in the hands of those whose only aim in life is to exterminate Jews ?
staggerlee32
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 7:46amWhy do you think BO wanted Mubarak to leave? So he and his Soros crew could have the Muslim Brotherhood take over the largest military in the Mideast and fight against Israel.
Report Post »staggerlee32
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 7:47amGates visit and BO’s call to Israel were for show.
Report Post »staggerlee32
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 7:48amGood thing is God won’t allow them to defeat Israel.
Report Post »Dale
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 12:34pmThank you, Bob, just wish you spoke for the administration.
Report Post »slimster
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 1:28pmThis Israel vs Gaza incident is really no different than what is happening in Libya. Terrorist(Al-Qaida) have weapons and are using them, Government is going to quell them – Are we going to intervene to stop the Israelis from hurting the civilians? NO… THEY DON’T HAVE OIL!
Report Post »independentvoteril
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 2:31pmwhen Israel releases it wrath the middle east will be brought to it’s knees.. and they WON‘T be asking anyone’s permission I do hope that the people of Israel knows that the IGNORANCE of the current administration is NOT what the American people are feeling.. That we are WITH them in mind and spirit..May GOD take vengeance on those who turn their backs .. help arm those that mean harm .. or encourage attacks on ISRAEL and it’s people..
Report Post »yippyio
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 3:40pmGates is chabbas goy.
Report Post »Dave In Arizona
Posted on March 26, 2011 at 2:36am@Thatsitivehadenough
The US does stand by Israel. Obama doesn’t.
Report Post »Uncle Sambo
Posted on March 26, 2011 at 9:41amDirected toward Miami
“It‘s time for Gaza’s terrorist to go the way of the dinosaur.”
“Find who sent the weapons to Gaza and return them, LIVE. Fifty thousand pounds, should make a nice creator…hell add a megaton or fifty just for kicks.”
WHAT?
And Risk ******* Off President N-Word the First Jewish President!
Seriously, I love to see Bobo’s face as he learned that Israel just annihilated Iran.
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