LEHIGH VALLEY OPINION

How would the American people and government react to missile and mortar attacks upon our borders from Canada or Mexico? Would we respond after one or 10 or even 100? Would we evacuate Detroit or Houston?

Since 2003, 9,400 rockets and mortar shells have been fired from Gaza onto sovereign Israeli soil, 3,000 in 2008 alone. Every country has a right to defend its borders, yet in the eyes of the international community that right is not valid for Israel.

Sadly, the history of Israel and the Middle East at large have been transformed into a caldron of half-truths, myths, distortions and outright lies over the last 50 years by Arab propaganda. Israel has as much right to exist in peace as any nation, and peace will not come until its neighbors are willing to live in peace instead of dying in hatred.

It is a grave distortion to equate Israeli nationalism with terrorism. Israel responds to threats to its very existence. Hamas and Hezbollah have in their charters that Israel must be destroyed. Israel's existence is much more than Holocaust survivors and Zionists. There is more than meets the eye in the Middle East, affecting us all.

Those who are Bible believers, read it again; for those that are not, this would be a good time to start. Spiritual issues influence the historic, making this conflict the center of the universe. I welcome those interested in learning more to contact me anytime.

Mark Shulman

Senior Rabbi, Congregation Beth El Gibor Easton