28-Jul-14: Some things change, some stay the same

Well-used bomb/rocket shelter in Sderot [Image Source: Wikipedia]

So how ought Israel to deal with those jihadism-obsessed, armed-to-the-teeth, child-sacrificing neighbours we have just over the fence in Gaza? Here's one ordinary man's view:

I don't think any country would find it acceptable to have missiles raining down on the heads of their citizens. The first job of any nation state is to protect its citizens. And so I can assure you that if -- I don't even care if I was a politician. If somebody was sending rockets into my house where my two daughters sleep at night, I'm going to do everything in my power to stop that. And I would expect Israelis to do the same thing.

In terms of negotiations with Hamas, it is very hard to negotiate with a group that is not representative of a nation state, does not recognize your right to exist, has consistently used terror as a weapon, and is deeply influenced by other countries. I think that Hamas leadership will have to make a decision at some point as to whether it is a serious political party seeking to represent the aspirations of the Palestinian people. And, as a consequence, willing to recognize Israel's right to exist and renounce violence as a tool to achieve its aims. Or whether it wants to continue to operate as a terrorist organization. 

Until that point, it's hard for Israel, I think, to negotiate with a country that -- or with a group that doesn't recognize Israel's right to exist at a country...

That's the voice of Senator Barack Obama, speaking in the long-beleagured Israeli city of Sderot on July 23, 2008, as quoted by the New York Times here (and on video here).

Some things keep changing. Some just remain the same
as they were. Aspiring US politician inspecting jihadist
rockets in Sderot, six years ago [Image Source]

Generally speaking, Israelis don't need foreign visitors to teach us how we need to do

everything to protect our frightened daughters and sons: A mother in Sderot

comforts her daughter after yet another rocket attack [Image Source: Wikipedia]