1000 Verses – a project of Judaism Resources

Rockets raining down on civilian areas – Silence

Hatred presented as an ideal value – Silence

Murder taught to children as virtue – Silence

Calls for Genocide – Silence

Murderous terrorism against civilians – Silence

Glorifying those acts of terrorism – Silence

Celebrating terrorism – Silence

Encouraging terrorism through financial incentive – Silence

Diverting billions to build terrorist infrastructure – Silence

Open hypocrisy in the U.N. – Silence

Obvious bias in the media – Silence

Open anti-Semitism on university campuses – Silence

Financing of terror activities – Silence

Using civilians as human shields – Silence

People fighting for their survival – Outrage

The Guilt of Words

Your city is under attack. A fleet of bombers is heading towards you loaded with death and destruction. The pilots of these planes have been here already. During their last visit you were caught by surprise and their bombs killed hundreds of your fellow citizens. But now you are ready. You are equipped with anti-aircraft missiles that can take out the attacking planes and save your people.

However, your defensive action meets up with opposition. There are people who tell you that you may not shoot down those bombers who would kill you. The attackers have taken civilian hostages and have brought them along on their planes. If you shoot down the planes those civilians would die.

What would you do?

I would also shoot down the planes. I would not be guilty for the death of those civilian passengers. Their blood would be on the hands of those who put them on the planes.

Gaza strip under Hamas is the attacking fleet. Their territory has been weaponized to launch attacks against Israel. They have taken the people of Gaza hostage and have positioned themselves amongst the civilian population so as to maximize civilian casualties should Israel attempt to protect itself.

Should Israel not shoot those who are threatening to kill them? Would you allow yourself to be slaughtered because your attackers hide themselves behind a civilian population?

The present war in Gaza did not have to happen. Hamas has been firing rockets at Israel for many years and Israel has attempted to take out those who threaten them with annihilation. But every time Israel strikes at Hamas a chorus of voices erupt calling for Israel to stay her hand. These protesters cry out for the lives of the civilians that Hamas is using as human shields. If Israel would eradicate Hamas, then this conflict would be over. It is the protesters who are prolonging this unnecessary war.  

But these same protesters wouldn’t hesitate to shoot down a plane that is trying to kill them or sink a ship that is shooting at them even if there is an innocent civilian on that plane or ship. They would not sit back and allow themselves to get killed just because their murderers are using human shields.

Those who are calling for a ceasefire are calling for more bloodshed. They are demanding that Israel allow itself to be destroyed, which is something they would never do if they were facing the same threat. The call for a ceasefire is legitimizing and encouraging Hamas’ use of human shields. And the call for a ceasefire is a call for the continuation of the conflict.

The only reason that Hamas uses these human shields is because they have come to rely on these protesters. Whether these protesters realize it or not they are marching in the service of Hamas.

If you are one of those who are calling for Israel to stand down I ask you to consider the following. Would you allow yourself to be slaughtered just because your attackers are using human shields? Do you realize that by calling for a ceasefire you are playing a crucial part in Hamas’ war against Israel? Do you realize that your words are prolonging the conflict which can only result in more death, of both Israelis and Palestinians?

Words can kill. Think before you speak.