The UN Human Rights Council recently released its report of the Israeli-Gaza conflict last summer known as Operation Protective Edge. The report cites violations of international law and alleged possible war crimes on both sides.

Prime Minister Netanyahu described the report as “morally flawed.” Dore Gold, Israel’s former ambassador to the United Nations and world renowned expert on Middle Eastern affairs, also responded to the report by describing Israel’s position and discussion on tunnels, timing on ending the confrontation, unnecessary deaths by the Palestinians and the protection of Israel afforded by Iron Dome.

HD Commentary by Earl Cox

HD Commentary by Earl Cox

Very few who live outside of Israel possess a clear understanding of Israel’s situation as it relates to Arab-Israelis and the Palestinians, yet we form opinions and attitudes and pass judgments based on news clips and reporters’ comments that are almost always overly sympathetic to the Arab-Israelis of East Jerusalem and their Palestinian kinsmen.  Israel’s true situation is rarely articulated.   For example, some wonder if Israel is right to destroy the homes of parents or relatives of those who perpetrate acts of terror against Israel.  Those who contend it’s wrong must be reminded how the Palestinians openly celebrate every time one of their own harms or kills an Israeli and also the fact that the family of the terrorist(s) receives a monetary award.  &n

The Evangelical Christians of the world are the most ardent supporters of Israel.  They are puzzled to say the very least as to how a member of Prime Minister Netanyahu’s coalition, namely Tzipi Livni, could take independent actions with brazen disregard of the Israeli government’s position concerning the Hamas allied PLO.  Those of us who are not citizens of Israel and pay no taxes to Israel recognize that we do not have a voice in how the Israeli government functions but as observers we have noted Minister Livni’s actions which have left the Justice Minister caricatured as a fairy tale figure with an impotent mantra against a house of bricks.  Her actions are, indeed, puzzling.

A retired Army General and former high ranking official in the Obama Administration, recently spoke at a well-known American university. During the questions following his remarks he was asked by a student why “25% of US Foreign Aid goes to Israel.” The General stumbled around and gave no real answer other than “It’s complicated.”

What he did not say was that the premise of the question was wrong to start with because the percentage of US Foreign Aid to Israel is nowhere near 25%.