Violence from the Vacuum

This sounds familiar.

Israel is going to pull back from the Gaza. Terrorists are moving in behind them. Wow, I’m surprised. OK. Not really.

Remember when Israel pulled out of Lebanon. Hezbolla (with Syria's backing) moved in behind them and the body count of civilians rose (mostly Christians) within hours of their departure.

To all my “anti-violence” friends out there who believe that all the evil in the world is caused by the military might of democratic countries: Wake up. The world is ruled by violence and the rules are set by the aggressor. In this case, Al-Qaida. It does amaze me how such well meaning people can be so "anti" when dealing with violent response in the face of aggression, but so "understanding" in the face of Islamic Terrorists who attack civilians.

There is a difference between violence and aggression. Israel has not been the aggressor in this, but the defender in it. It is not the actions of Israel that have caused the terrorists to move in, but her very existence, and her willingness to show weakness and a lack of resolve in the face of their aggression. Whether you believe the Iraq campaign justified or not, the parallels between Israel's situation and ours are obvious.

Perhaps my anti-war friends would have a bit more credibility were they a bit more willing to condemn the aggressors in these actions as much as the defenders.