Never forget, Israel did not start this war

Those who are staging protest rallies against Israel all over the world from London to the US and demanding an end to hostilities in Gaza should remember that it was not the Jews who started this war. It was Hamas who attacked and killed and kidnapped many innocent civilians in an unprovoked and unjustified aggression. Now that Israel is merely seeking justice for the deaths of its people protesters blame the Jews.

The evidence shows that Israel is not the aggressor. On October 7, 2023, Hamas launched a multi-prong military operation on Israel that included rocket attacks, balaclava-clad fighters dropping from paragliders, and ground assaults on civilians in their homes, on city streets, and at a music festival. It was the boldest and most sophisticated operation by the Palestinian extremist movement, which emerged in 1988 and has since evolved as one of the two biggest security threats to Israel. Hundreds died and dozens were taken hostage. It coincided with the 50th anniversary of the 1973 war launched by Egypt and Syria against Israel, which was also the last time that Israeli intelligence failed to foresee a war. Therefore, the blame should be on Hamas not on Israel.

The United States condemned the historic terrorist attack, which President Joe Biden compared to the 9/11 attacks by Al Qaeda on the United States. “Terrorism is never justified,” Biden said in his first official statement on the matter. He also warned about the danger of a wider conflagration that could draw in other Islamic militants. “The United States warns against any other party hostile to Israel seeking advantage in this situation.” The United States deployed two carrier strike groups to the eastern Mediterranean Sea and sent Air Force fighter jets to the region to deter Israel's other adversaries from opening up a second war front. The United States has “made it clear to the Iranians, 'Be careful,'” Biden warned again on October 11.

The unprovoked and highly-unjustified attacks by Hamas led the leaders of the US, France, Germany, Italy and the United Kingdom to issue a strong and unprecedented joint statement: "Today, we --President Macron of France, Chancellor Scholz of Germany, Prime Minister Meloni of Italy, Prime Minister Sunak of the United Kingdom, and President Biden of the United States-- express our steadfast and united support to the State of Israel, and our unequivocal condemnation of Hamas and its appalling acts of terrorism. The leaders of these great nations are thus united in their condemnation of Hamas as well as in their support of Israel. The other Arab countries like Lebanon, Iran, Syria and even Jordan and Egypt should remember that their reckless support of the terrorist Hamas may trigger a huge conflagration of terror in the Middle East.

The five powerful world leaders firmly warned all the supporters of Hamas: "We make clear that the terrorist actions of Hamas have no justification, no legitimacy, and must be universally condemned. There is never any justification for terrorism. In recent days, the world has watched in horror as Hamas terrorists massacred families in their homes, slaughtered over 200 young people enjoying a music festival, and kidnapped elderly women, children, and entire families, who are now being held as hostages. Our countries will support Israel in its efforts to defend itself and its people against such atrocities. We further emphasize that this is not a moment for any party hostile to Israel to exploit these attacks to seek advantage."

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. said that the Philippines stands with Israel. Marcos made the declaration when he met with Israeli Ambassador to the Philippines Ilan Fluss in Malacañang.

“The President assured Ambassador Fluss that the Philippines will always stand with Israel in this war against the inhuman terrorist attacks by Hamas,” the Presidential Communications Office said. The Philippines and Israel have strong and historic ties and the friendship between the two countries is such that Filipinos visiting Israel do not need a visa.

Thus our Muslim compatriots should understand that the Philippine government stands with Israel and will never tolerate the unjustified aggressive attacks staged by Hamas.