Some Thoughts from Israel on Pearl Harbor Day

The day after the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, Franklin D. Roosevelt delivered his famous "Days of Infamy" speech in which he expressed the outrage of the United Nations. Today is Pearl Harbor Day, each year remembered and mourned by the US. A day never forgotten. 

There were other days in World War II, perhaps almost every day, that more people died. But the infamy of that attack was in the nature of the details. 

Despite the horrific results, it must be noted that the Japanese targeted primarily military installations. The attack resulted in the deaths of 2,403 Americans, including 69 civilians. It damaged 19 Navy Ships.

Isoroku Yamamoto was correct. Were any member of Hamas smart enough to say these same words today, he would be correct as well.

In Israel, our Pearl Harbor Day happened on October 7, 2023 and the day after it did, thinking about Pearl Harbor, I posted this to Facebook:

Channeling Roosevelt...A Date that will live in Infamy

YESTERDAY, October 7, 2023 a date which will live in infamy Israel was suddenly and deliberately attacked by Hamas terrorists from Gaza.

It will be recorded that the distance between Gaza and Israel makes it obvious that the attack was deliberately planned many days or even weeks ago.

The attack yesterday on Israel has caused severe damage to thousands of citizens of Israel and to our military forces. I regret to tell you that very many Israeli lives have been lost. In addition many Israelis have been kidnapped - including women and children.

The facts of yesterday and today speak for themselves. The people of Israel have already formed their opinions and well understand the implications to the very life and safety of our Nation.

No matter how long it may take us to overcome this premeditated invasion, the people of Israel in their righteous might will win through to absolute victory.

I believe that I interpret the will of the Knesset and of the people when I assert that we will not only defend ourselves to the uttermost but will make it very certain that this form of treachery shall never again endanger us. Hostilities exist. There is no blinking at the fact that our people, our country and our interests are in grave danger.

With confidence in our armed forces with the unbounding determination of our people we will gain the inevitable triumph, so help us God.

Please help us, God. 

The victims of Hamas' October 7 massacre were primarily civilians. When the US decided to end the war with Japan, it dropped two nuclear bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki resulting in the instantaneous deaths of 78,000 people, mainly civilians. Who is America to instruct Israel on the morality of how to fight a war. 

When the British and US forces carpet-bombed Dresden, approximately 22,000 people died, most of whom were civilians. Again, what right do any of the nations of Europe have to speak to Israel from some imagined moral high ground?

We are not carpet-bombing Gaza, though we certainly have the military might to do so. We have divided Gaza into 600 micromanaged areas to enable civilians to escape to safe zones. What safe zones did the US EVER set up? In Vietnam? In Korea? In Germany? In Japan? In Iraq? In Afghanistan?

On today of all days, as my son fights in Gaza, the hypocrisy of the world chokes me.