Our Sons Are Still in Gaza

Yehudit Tayar

(IsraelNN.com) Our sons are fighting in Gaza. Our sons - the sons of families who were brutally uprooted from their homes, jobs, communities, synagogues and cemeteries - are fighting in Gaza.

Under the missiles, under the fire of the same terrorists who have been strengthened by the destruction of Gush Katif, our sons are fighting. Yes, they are fighting. Can anyone out there explain why they are endangering themselves now? Back when we had a flourishing group of communities and our sons fought there, it was justifiable; we were living there, and to fight for your home, your family and your country is understandable. But now there are no families of ours left, there are no homes left, and the country.... What exactly does this country want us there for anyway?

While missiles from Gaza fall on Israeli cities and communities, Israel continues to supply fuel and "humanitarian aid" to the residents of Gaza; yet, Israel does not supply any security solution for the citizens of Israel who live around Gaza and repeatedly are attacked. Just as no solution was provided for our families, uprooted from Gush Katif and languishing still with no permanent homes or communities. And, for many, there are no jobs, and there is no solution for the residents of what is termed "around Gaza."

Those same residents "around Gaza" were out on the road supporting the destruction of Gush Katif, especially on Fridays, while we in Gush Katif faced both physical attacks from the terrorist enemies (no, they are not partners) and psychological attacks. While the government of Israel planned the ruthless destruction of that Garden of Eden, Gush Katif, which had turned empty sand dunes into beautiful communities and successful agricultural development, those residents of the communities around Gaza demonstrated in support of the plan to throw us out and destroy all that we had done there.

They had no feelings for either the people living there, nor for the reality of the situation and what would happen in this region after the destruction of Gush Katif. There were many who called out to stop sacrificing our soldiers for the few families living there, to stop our sons from fighting in Gaza.

What do these same blind people say now? What do they say now that our sons are back inside standing on the beloved sands of our homes there, over the desecration of our communities, synagogues and again fighting the same terrorists? Or perhaps not the same terrorists actually, for today's terrorists have witnessed the decisions of a Jewish government to destroy Jewish towns, while trying to run away from the terror in Gaza.

These murderous terrorists have every reason to believe that Israel will not stop running away from the terror. Rather, they think if they continue to attack other areas such as Sderot, Ashkelon, Netiv Ha'asara, Sa'ad, Alumim, Or Haner and other Jewish communities around Gaza, then Israel will run away from them also.

And our sons are fighting in Gaza; these brave young lions who lived in Gush Katif and witnessed the destruction of their families' homes and communities, who at the time wept as they were confronted by soldiers wearing the same uniform that they wear today, and saw soldiers of the same army who, instead of fighting the terrorists, were dragging them away from their memories, from their friends, schools and homes.

Our sons are fighting in Gaza because the government of Israel has decided not to resolve the terror and to teach the terrorists - whether you call them Hamas, PLO or any other name - that Jews do not run away from terror. The policy of the governments of Israel should be that we Jews negate these reasons that the terrorists are attacking. First and foremost, we protect the lives of the citizens and soldiers of Israel, and then teach the terrorists that Jewish blood is not expendable.

Our sons are fighting in Gaza and it is accepted as normal for them today to endanger their lives. It is taken for granted that they should be fighting there to protect Israel. But why now and not when we were living there?

For those immoral politicians who care more about world opinion and ratings by the media than for the precious lives of the citizens and soldiers of Israel - hang your heads in shame - and stop sacrificing our lives and future. If our sons have to fight in Gaza, in Lebanon or any other place that endangers us, then give us a justified reason - stop negotiating with those who wish to destroy us, and stand firm on Jewish rights.

Our sons are fighting in Gaza and our nation's son Gilad Shalit is still held there; while the government of Israel is criminally responsible for both, and it is also morally responsible for both, and should be taking action to resolve this.