As you know, my Sunday essays are usually thought leadership pieces where I try to simplify complex issues and explore them from different points of view. Not today.
I don’t have words to describe Hamas’s attack on Israel. Watching it unfold made me sick to my stomach and as angry as I have ever been. I’m heartbroken by the loss of innocent life and profoundly sad that Israel is left with only bitter choices.
The situation is untenable. An ABC News report says, “An estimated 2,200 rockets were fired toward southern and central Israel, including Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, by the Hamas militants, according to the IDF. Meanwhile, Hamas claimed at least 5,000 rockets were fired, all landing in southern and central Israel.”
Fortune Magazine says that each rocket fired by Hamas costs approximately $600, so firing 5,000 rockets at Israel would cost Hamas about $3 million. On the other hand, each Iron Dome interceptor costs Israel approximately $60,000. Assuming that Israel had 5,000 Iron Dome interceptors (which they don’t) it would cost about $300 million to try to shoot them down.
Money aside, Israel has a limited number of Iron Dome interceptors and Hamas has an overwhelming number of relatively inexpensive rockets which leaves Israel with only one choice: neutralize the threat.
If you have a better option to ensure the safety of Israeli citizens, now is the time to suggest it. Before you do, please read the Hamas Charter and pay particular attention to article 13 which states, “There is no negotiated settlement possible. Jihad is the only answer.”
Tu Quoque arguments are not welcome here. I’ve had my fill of whataboutism. Nothing justifies what Hamas did last weekend. Nothing.
That said, Israel is in great need of financial support and humanitarian aid. Here’s a short list of vetted charities and organizations:
- UJA
- United Hatzalah
- Samson Assuta Ashdod University Hospital
- The Efrat Foundation
- World Jewish Congress American Section
- Olam and Sid-Israel partners responding to the attack on Israel
- Jewish Federations of North America
- Israel Trauma Coalition or NATAL
- American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee
- IsraAID
- Save The Children
- Jewish National Fund (JNF)
- The Jewish Agency for Israel
- American Friends of Magen David Adom
- American Committee for Shaare Zedek Medical Center
- WIZO
- ZAKA Search and Rescue
- Zahal Shalom
- The International Committee of the Red Cross
The people of Gaza are also in grave need of humanitarian aid. These organizations are committed to helping them:
- International Committee of the Red Cross
- Doctors Without Borders
- Save The Children
- CARE
- Palestine Red Crescent
- Palestinian Children’s Relief Fund
- ANERA
- The United Nations Relief and Works Agency
If you have additional vetted sites to add to this list, please reach out. I’m in the process of assembling a webpage with more detailed information about ways people can help. -s
Author’s note: This is not a sponsored post. I am the author of this article and it expresses my own opinions. I am not, nor is my company, receiving compensation for it.