OPINION:
My advice to all interested in the current Hamas-initiated war with Israel is not to hold their breath for President Obama to attempt to stop the conflict.
Until now, Mr. Obama has succeeded only in prolonging conflict in this region of the world, namely in Syria and Libya. Unfortunately, he has no ability to bring pressure on Hamas or Egypt, which has now shown its true colors in the conflict by supporting Hamas.
Certainly, Israel has lost patience and rightly so, with the continuing, indiscriminate rocket attacks from Gaza now reaching Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. No sovereign nation can stand by idly as its major population centers are endangered. Iran and Syria obviously have chosen to activate their anti-Israel terrorist organizations, Hamas and Hezbollah as well as others, to present a diversion from their own political and military problems.
The international community, with its support for the Arab world, has not acted either morally or ethically in this. It is time that Israel is given the go-ahead signal by Mr. Obama and all nations dedicated to democracy to end the threat from Gaza by eliminating its rocket supply and further access to missiles through the Sinai by force rather than by words.
It will be a test for the Obama administration of whether we stand for democracy and the right to self-defense or whether we desert our most trusted ally in the region.
NELSON MARANS
Silver Spring, Md.
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