Are splinter bombs and rockets aimed at the Israeli civilian population, kidnapping and murder acceptable? Do certain rules apply for Israel and an entirely different set for Hamas and Hezbollah? Hamas and Hezbollah are terrorist organizations, and terrorists devote their time to terrorism. Following democratically held elections, the Palestinians have elected a terrorist regime whose aim is to conduct terrorist activities. The Lebanese, instead of observing UN resolution 1559, which stipulated the disarmament of Hezbollah, have neglected to do so, and not only are Hezbollah therefore stronger than ever, they are also represented in the Government! The civilian population is now experiencing the aftermath of this, but has it really come as a complete surprise? Israel has never conducted military actions aimed at civilian targets. For terrorists however, the prime targets have always been civilians. Terrorists constantly breach international law and the Geneva Convention, but Israel is the one against which demonstrations are always held, and the one urged to practise restraint! Sweden has long since outlived its role in the Middle East debate. By granting visas to Hamas representatives, refusing to participate in an air force military exercise because Israel was taking part, and by our Office of the Chancellor of Justice considering it OK to encourage the murder of Jews in Sweden with reference to the conflict in the Middle East, then one has clearly demonstrated ones position and whose vote was being sought in the run-up to the election. Today, synagogues are being bomb threatened in Sweden and flags with swastikas being waved in demonstrations against Israel are considered totally acceptable. When you insist on measuring the Middle East according to Swedish standards, you forget that our way of thinking and reasoning here in Sweden is manifestly different from that of the Middle East. When one acts Sweden has and does, then one has forfeited ones right to say what is right and wrong in a conflict that one patently knows nothing about. No Swedish representative seems to be able to answer how Israel should negotiate or hold talks with Hamas and Hezbollah, organisations that do not even acknowledge its right to exist and whose main goal is to obliterate Israel. The acts of terrorism by Hamas and Hezbollah have not suddenly emerged; war on a limited scale, low profile has been going on for years. The difference is that terror is now the tool used by Hamas, the present government, and Hezbollah, Syria and Irans lackeys, as a political strategy. If you use terror, you have to be aware of the fact that there will be repercussions. The latest border violations, murders and kidnappings are therefore to be deemed acts of terrorism and direct hostility. Terrorism, not politics. How should Israel negotiate or hold talks with Hamas, an organisation that does not even recognize Israels right to exist and whose primary aim is to wipe out Israel? The prophets of doom lamented that there will be no peace following the departure of Israel from Gaza and Lebanon, and this has now proven to be right. Hamas and Hezbollahs war of terror on Israel was never about the Israeli presence in Gaza or Lebanon, but about the Jewish presence overall. As a consequence, more Kassam and Katyusha rockets have been, and are being fired than ever before, and the targets are invariably Israeli civilians At the same time the terrorists and their followers shout crime against international law! when Israel opposes the attacks. This approach becomes easier to comprehend when one accepts the terrorists doctrine that there is no such person as an Israeli civilian all Israelis are legitimate targets, subject to attack. In Sweden today, we have adopted the terrorist view: Palestinian terrorists become so called activists, kidnapped Israelis become merely taken away, Palestinian rockets that maim and kill Israeli civilians become simple homemade incendiary devices, murdered Israeli children become settlers. There is definitely a propaganda war being waged. If one can successfully dehumanise ones opponent, barbarianism will gain the upper hand. This is an essential element in the Palestinian strategy - indoctrinating their children that killing a Jew is a sacred act. An important element of the hate strategy is to teach ones children that the killing of Jews is a holy, sacred act. Streets and squares are named after mass murderers. If you look more closely at the priorities of the Palestinian society, you would understand something of the madness of its leadership. There is a scarcity of food, medicines and medical care, but there is never a shortage of arms. The question is why does the infrastructure not work? Roads, education, healthcare do not exist, but the infrastructure for weapons supply is flourishing! How do you live with neighbours who would rather kill your children than protect their own? And who, moreover, invoke the will of God in this conflict?

Mi Grandin

This article has previously been published in the Swedish newspaper Västerbottens-Kuriren, July 2006

Translation by Ismay Bowles-Gabler