Date: Tuesday, November 12, 2019
To: Friends & Supporters
From: Gary L. Bauer, Director

Israel vs. Islamic Jihad

While we were all eating breakfast and getting our kids off to school this morning, Israelis were running to bomb shelters. Israel took out Bahaa Abu el-Atta, one of the leaders of Islamic Jihad in Gaza and also carried out an airstrike against another Islamic Jihad leader in Damascus, Syria.

Islamic Jihad has fired at least 190 rockets at Israeli communities, many of which were intercepted by Israel's Iron Dome defense system. Schools in Tel Aviv were closed for the first time since the 2014 Gaza War. According to the Israel Defense Forces, Islamic Jihad has been firing rockets "continuously" since 5:00 AM.

Unfortunately, many media reports appear to suggest that Israel is to blame for this violence, that its action triggered today's rocket barrage.

Here's what you need to understand: Islamic Jihad launches rockets and sets off bombs regardless of what Israel does. More than 600 rockets have been fired at Israeli communities this year -- BEFORE today's events.

As the IDF noted, when Islamic Jihad fires crude rockets at Israeli communities, it is indiscriminately targeting innocent civilians, including children. Israel does not target civilians. There is no comparison, no moral equivalence whatsoever, between the actions of Palestinian terrorists and the state of Israel. Islamic Jihad is heavily subsidized by Iran.

This may be the beginning of what many people in Israel believe is coming soon -- a very serious war between Israel, Iran and Iran's terrorist proxies. (By the way, the Wall Street Journal reports that Iran's recent violations of the 2015 nuclear deal have dramatically reduced its "breakout time" to develop a nuclear weapon to "between 6 and 10 months.")

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the nation today regarding the strike against Islamic Jihad. Here are excerpts of his remarks:

"Citizens of Israel, the IDF targeted senior Islamic Jihad commander Baha Abu al-Ata. Over the past year, this arch-terrorist was the main instigator of terrorism from the Gaza Strip. He initiated, planned and carried out many terrorist attacks.

"He fired hundreds of rockets at communities in the area adjacent to the Gaza Strip, whose suffering we have seen. He was in the midst of planning additional attacks in the immediate short term. He was a ticking bomb. . .

"The Security Cabinet unanimously approved the final decision to act in this manner ten days ago. . . In light of this, I decided to accept their joint recommendation and I approved the carrying out of the action. . .

"Whoever thinks that it is possible to hurt our citizens and evade our long arm – is mistaken. We have proven that we can attack with surgical precision anywhere terrorists hide. . .

"I would like to reiterate: Israel is not interested in escalation, but will do everything necessary to defend ourselves. And I say in advance: This could take time. Patience and composure are required. The IDF must be allowed to do its work."

Trump Remembers Roddie

Yesterday President Trump addressed the New York City Veterans Day Parade. If you missed the president's address, you can watch it here.

During his remarks, President Trump told the incredibly moving story of Master Sergeant Roddie Edmonds. It is a story of courage that every American should know, but it's one that only came to light in recent years. Below are the president's remarks.

"Also here with us today is Lauren Mathews, the granddaughter of a Battle of the Bulge veteran who has since passed away. His name was Master Sergeant Roddie Edmonds. Like so many of our veterans, Roddie never talked about the war. Lauren never knew her grandfather's story until she embarked upon a school project about 10 years ago.

"Roddie was in the 422nd regiment, which was overwhelmed when the Nazis launched their surprise assault. He and his men fought for three treacherous days before being taken as prisoners of war.

"After they arrived at a prison camp, the German commander sent an order over the loud speaker. The Jewish-American soldiers were all told to step out of line during the roll call the next day. Knowing the terrible fate that would come to his Jewish comrades, Roddie immediately said, 'We're not doing that.' He sent orders to have every American step out of line with their Jewish brothers-in-arms.

"The next morning, 1,292 Americans stepped forward. The German commander stormed over to Roddie and said, 'They cannot all be Jews.' Roddie stared right back; he said, 'We are all Jews here.'

"At that point, the German put a gun to Roddie's head and demanded, 'You will order the Jews to step forward immediately or I will shoot you right now through the head.' Roddie responded, 'Major, you can shoot me, but you'll have to kill us all.' . . . The German turned red, got very angry, but put down his gun, and walked away.

"Master Sergeant Edmonds saved 200 Jewish-American soldiers that day."

In February 2015, Roddie Edmonds was recognized by Yad Vashem as Righteous Among the Nations. You can learn about his story here. Please share this report with friends and family members.