Facts About Israel's Crisis
Israel is defending herself against unprovoked attacks by terrorist groups coordinated and financed by Syria and Iran. In defending herself, Israel is doing what any other democratic country would do.
We express heartfelt concern for the safety of innocent people, Israeli, Palestinian and Lebanese hurt by the brutality of Hezbollah and Hamas who have brought the violence in the area.
Peace and stability can only be achieved when terrorism byIsrael's enemies ends once and for all. We call upon terrorist organizations and the regimes that support them to put an end to the terror.
ISSUES: Click on the issue to learn more
On Hezbollah
- In May 2000, Israel pulled out of Lebanon. The withdrawal adhered to the international border and was certified by the United Nations pursuant to resolution 425. UN Resolution 1559 demands disarming Hezbollah and requires Lebanon to take control of its sovereign territory along the border with Israel.
- The US, Britain, Canada and Australia have declared Hezbollah a terrorist organization.
- Hezbollah representatives serve in both the Lebanese parliament and cabinet. Lebanon's inactions tacitly support a terrorist organization.
- Hezbollah murdered 241 U.S. Marines sleeping in their barracks in Beirut in 1983 and bombed the Jewish Community Center in Buenos Aires in 1994 killing over a hundred civilians. Before September 11, 2001, Hezbollah was responsible for more American deaths than any other terrorist group. To learn more click here.
On Responsibility for Current Violence in Northern Israel and Lebanon
- On July 12, Hezbollah launched an unprovoked attack that killed 8 Israeli soldiers. 2 others were kidnapped.
- Since that time, Hezbollah launched 3,970 missiles at Israeli cities and towns, including Boston's sister-city Haifa, resulting in civilian injuries and deaths of Israeli Jews and Arabs alike.
- Hezbollah has over 12,000 missiles aimed at Israel. They have fired missiles and mortars, attempted kidnappings, and launched other terrorist attacks at Israel during the last 6 years. To learn more click here.
On Iran and Syria's role
Middle East commentators and intelligence analysts agree that the attacks against Israel have occurred because of pre-meditated plans made in Tehran, Damascus and Beirut.
- This is an attempt to divert attention from Iran's developing nuclear program and to further assert Iran as the dominant power in the Muslim world and Middle East. To learn more click here.
- Iran provides $200 million/year to fund Hezbollah and their terrorist activities.
- Syria is a conduit for Iranian arms and funding of Hezbollah, while Hamas officials operate from Damascus where numerous terrorist acts are planned and ordered.
- Syria remains committed to dominating Lebanon.
- Some captured Hezbollah weapons bear the insignia of the Iranian army. To learn more click here.
On Israel's Proportionate Response
- The proportionality of Israel's response must be measured not only against Hezbollah's past actions- the kidnapping of Israeli soldiers and bombarding of Israeli towns- but also against what is its stated goal- the elimination of the State of Israel.
- Israel's moral obligation is to defend the lives of its civilians by preventing indiscriminate missiles attacks on its cities and towns, and the return of the kidnapped soldiers.
- Unlike Hezbollah and Hamas, Israel tries to safeguard civilians and regrets any loss of innocent life. But the terrorists use women and children as human shields and embed their operations amid civilians. When terrorists launch rockets from densely populated areas, they and no one else are responsible for the civilian deaths caused by counterfire. Hezbollah and Hamas do not recognize the legal and moral principle of noncombatant immunity and feed on the suffering their own activity brings.
- Israel takes great risks in an effort to safeguard civilians while fighting terrorists by dropping warning leaflets, broadcasting over local radio frequencies and making automated phone calls in Arabic in advance. Israel takes these measures at the expense of her objectives while putting her personnel in great danger.
- Even as hostilities continue, Israel is attempting to provide for innocent civilians in Lebanon. Israel quickly accepted the request of the UN Secretariat to open a humanitarian corridor into Lebanon.
- Israel has suffered greatly because of the Hezbollah violence: 162 Israelis have been killed (men, women, children – Arabs and Jews), 4,262 civilians were treated in hospitals for injuries, 3 soldiers remain captive, and more than a million citizens have been forced from their homes or are compelled to live in bomb shelters. To learn more click here.
On Boston's Sister City Haifa
- Haifa is Boston's sister city. It is Israel's third largest city and a major port on the Mediterranean Sea. Haifa is a diverse cultural center for Christians, Druze, Baha'is, Muslims and Jews. 20% of Haifa's citizens are Israeli-Arab and there is a significant number of Jews from the former Soviet Union and Ethiopia.
- Boston and Haifa collaborate on over 100 projects promoting Jewish-Arab coexistence, integration of Ethiopian Jews into modern Israeli society, scientific research, and the development of non-profit organizations.
- Visitors to Haifa have included Boston Mayor Thomas Menino, Massachusetts Senate President Robert Travaglini, House Speaker Salvatore DiMasi and many other elected officials and community leaders.
- Haifa is the site of two major research universities. The University of Haifa enrolls the largest Arab student population in Israel and the Technion is Israel's premier institute of technology. To learn more click here.
On the UN Observer Deaths in Lebanon
Israel expressed regret for the accidental death of 4 UN Observers, members of UNTSO (UN Treaty Supervision Organization). Israel takes every precaution to target Hezbollah terrorists and avoid harming innocents.
- An email from Maj. Paeta Hess-von Kruedener, one of the UN officials tragically killed in the accident, asserted that Hezbollah, consistent with terrorist tactics, positioned itself near the UN post. "We have on a daily basis had numerous occasions where our position has come under direct or indirect fire from both (Israeli) artillery and aerial bombing…This has not been deliberate targeting (emphasis added - ed.), but rather due to tactical necessity…We've got Hezbollah fighters running around in our positions, taking our positions here and then using us for shields and then engaging the (Israeli Defense Forces)."
- Nothing can be stated factually before a complete investigation takes place. Prime Minister Olmert has said he will share the results of the report with UN Secretary General Kofi Annan. To learn more click here.
On Civilian Deaths in Qana
"Israel deeply regrets, is greatly saddened, by this attack on innocent civilians in Lebanon. Israeltakes full responsibility and is going to start an open investigation to find out how this happened," Israeli government spokeswoman Miri Eisin said.
- The operation in Qana came as a response to missiles launched into Israelfrom the area. Israel agreed to suspend its actions over southern Lebanonfor 48 hours and will allow a 24-hour window for residents to leave the area.
- According to Brig. Gen. Amir Eshel of IDF, the collapse of the apartment building in Qana was possibly caused by Hezbollah ammunition stored inside the building. (The New York Times, 7/31/2006, "Israel Suspends Strikes in Southern Lebanon After Dozens of Civilians Are Killed") To learn more click here.
On UN Security Council Resolution 1701
We welcome the UN Security Council Resolution 1701 which includes the enforcement of UN resolution 1559 which for two years has called for the disarming of the Hezbollah terrorist group.
- Israel accepted the cease-fire resolution despite the lack of commitment by Hezbollah, Syria or Iran to respect Israel's right to exist and Lebanon's right to its sovereignty.
- Israel, the US ally and strategic partner, is a democracy that has endured great sacrifices and chose to take enormous risks in an effort to achieve peace.
-
Israel preserves its right for self-defense and will respond when attacked. It is regrettable that the resolution does not demand the immediate unconditional release of Ehud Goldwasser and Eldad Regev. To learn more
click here.
