The military operation in Gaza is not only a military campaign, but a publicity campaign
By Silvan Shalom
This past Saturday, Israel engaged in a justified and important operation, whose purpose is to restore security to the residents surrounding Gaza, Sderot, and Ashkelon, and to restore Israel’s power of deterrence. The transition to proactive governance through a military attack is a process required by a state which stands for its natural right to provide security to its citizens. It is a necessary response by a democratic society, which is required to protect itself against the violent aggression of Hamas, who intends to damage the fabric of the lives of Israeli communities and families found in the midst of the terror of kassam rockets.
The military operation in Gaza however, is not only a military campaign; it is also a publicity campaign. Israel must make clear to the world that through this operation it is seizing and restoring its strength and its natural right to protect itself and its citizens. In order to succeed, even in its publicity campaign, we must remember that it is not enough to be right, and that the weapons of the office of foreign affairs and the publicity arms of Israel are images and pictures, not less than what they’re pleading for.
In order for the world to understand and identify with the purposes of our operation in Gaza, we must show its results against this intolerable aggression: the lives of the families in Sderot and in the communities near Gaza, their descents into bomb shelters, the fear and uncertainty that did not secure, after all this time, a response. By showing the world the daily terrifying reality of these citizens that demand a peaceful life - this is how we will increase our chances of convincing the world in the correctness of our means.
From discussions with international leaders I feel that there exists understanding of Israel’s position and operations, and it seems that there is a good probability that Israel will achieve agreeable objectives within its publicity campaign, however most importantly and separately, that the world must see that we are united.
With the background of the operation in Gaza, we must put aside the election campaign and the distribution of coalitions and oppositions and stand behind the Israeli Defense Forces and the residents of the south. The operation in Gaza is the first step in the process of toppling Hamas and the restoration of our international strength. The time has come for the political leadership and the general public of Israel to put aside old debates and stand shoulder to shoulder in this military and international publicity campaign. After all, the victory of the IDF and the achievement of security to the residents of the south is a victory for all of us.
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