Insights from Reverend Hazan Benlolo

How long can we endure and sustain this war of hate and destruction, this war of words and demonstrations? When will the world finally help eradicate Hamas, a terrorist organization whose sole purpose is to obliterate and eradicate the Jewish people and the Jewish state? How long will reporters and news anchors turn a blind eye and refuse to convey the stark reality that Hamas uses civilians as human shields, their women and children placed directly into the line of fire and using this as propaganda to fuel hatred for Israel.  We all know this is illegal under international law as well as the Geneva conventions*. And we can very well attest that Israel has the right to defend itself to continually uphold democracy for its Jewish and Arab citizens. There are clearly two paths on this road to normalcy. Either we fight to the end of time, or do we begin once again this conversation with those who want to hear us and join us to set in motion a new round of dialogue promoting freedom from strife and an era of serenity?

Kohelet (Ecclesiastes 3) A time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace!

Even though Hamas succeeded in shattering Israel’s sense of normalcy the media has been one sided – The mind-boggling question is: How can we let Hamas a terrorist Organization win this media war? Instead of rallies against Israel, Palestinians and their supporters should rally against Hamas who have chosen to use international funds to acquire weapons of destruction and build tunnels with cement intended to build schools and hospitals for their citizens. Instead, Palestinians, Jews and all peace-loving people should rally hand in hand to denounce a terrorist organization that is hampering their Palestinian citizens their right to a bright future and live side by side with Israel which happens to be the only country in the region that permits citizens of all faiths to worship freely and openly. And which twenty percent of Israeli citizens are not of Jewish faith.

There are 21 Arab countries in the Middle East and only one Jewish state: Israel, which is also the only democracy in the region is a country who cares, who helps, who embraces, who heals, who nourishes and who supports. All we ask is to live in peace and harmony so we can continue to do G-d’s will on this earth. I ask you all to continue joining us in Rallies and Vigils around our city and show unity and support to our people, to our family.

Am Yisrael Chai!

*The Geneva conventions state: "The presence or movements of the civilian population or individual civilians shall not be used to render certain points or areas immune from military operations, in particular in attempts to shield military objectives from attacks or to shield, favour or impede military operations. The parties to the conflict shall not direct the movement of the civilian population or individual civilians in order to attempt to shield military objectives from attacks or to shield military operations."

Reverend Hazan Daniel Benlolo