Op-ed views and opinions expressed are solely those of the author.

It was just five and a half months ago. It seemed a gate opened in Hell, and brigades of Hell’s fiends began invading Israel: on the ground, from the sea and through the air, bringing horror, rape, murder and kidnapping to Israeli soil, during a national holiday. The Palestinian groups Hamas and Islamic Jihad later claimed responsibility, while the Iranian regime and its IRGC commanders stood quietly in the shadows, beside their confederates, disclaiming “direct” responsibility for the deaths of over 1,200 innocents, the rape of hundreds of women and the abduction of 253 people who were taken back into subterranean prisons beneath the Gaza Strip.

In the wake of the atrocity, Bibi Netanyahu declared an emergency and convened an extraordinary unity government composed of the whole political spectrum of Israel, including Netanyahu’s primary competitors for power, Benny Gantz and Yoav Gallant.

Since October 7th, the Israeli Defense Forces have killed as many as 13,000 of Hamas’ 30,000 fighters, while achieving, what West Point’s urban warfare expert, John Spencer, calls an “unprecedented – gold standard” achievement of avoiding civilian casualties. The IDF has also opened humanitarian corridors, at great risk to its soldiers, for the transport of aid to civilians.

This Israeli success comes within the context of Hamas’s ongoing practices of using Gaza’s civilian population as human shields; of basing their forces in hospitals and schools; and using internationally delivered propaganda which greatly inflates the numbers of civilian casualties.  Meanwhile, the flow of international aid, is being attacked by Hamas gangs, who either secure the aid to themselves or sell it on the black market.

Israel has even agreed to cease-fires that have time limits to deliver aid and in exchange for hostages. Hamas has turned down these cease fires, including the latest offer of several weeks, because it does not guarantee its remaining leadership in Gaza an avenue for escape.

At this pivotal point, Israel’s Unity Cabinet and the IDF are preparing to invade Gaza’s southern city of Rafah, where Hamas’s remaining four brigades of fighters are again hiding behind civilians. In Netanyahu’s words: “This is the only way to eliminate Hamas’s murder brigades…and use the military pressure necessary to free all of our hostages.” The IDF estimates this operation would take no more than two months, and it would end the war.

At this pivotal point, there are several things to note that have occurred in Washington D.C. recently – that are not the acts of friends.

Friends, particularly those who are allies, should never mislead each other; they should always be truthful and straightforward. Friends should not engage in behind-the-back actions or publicize differences when facing a common enemy. Friends should never waver in their alliance or advance policies that are not in each other’s vital interests in the midst of a crisis.

Earlier this month, Joe Biden received Netanyahu rival Benny Gantz for a meeting in the White House. Then last week, the Office of Director of National Intelligence put out a report stating that the Netanyahu government was on shaky ground, and “distrust of Netanyahu’s ability to rule has deepened and broadened…we expect large protests demanding his resignation and new elections.”

On March 14th, Chuck Schumer, the highest-ranking Jewish official in the United States, stood in the well of the Senate to proclaim the Israeli prime minister had “lost his way,” and, along with “radical right-wing Israelis,” Netanyahu was an obstacle to peace. While Schumer praised Netanyahu’s past service to Israel, the Democrat majority leader said he could no longer accept the Israeli prime minister’s political leadership. Schumer called Netanyahu’s policies “dangerous and inflammatory” and if the prime minister persisted, the United States will “have no choice but to play a more active role in shaping Israeli policy.” Then Schumer called for new Israeli elections – during a military crisis.

The day before Schumer’s unprecedented, belligerent speech, President Biden liberated another $10 Billion of assets for the financiers and planners of the October 7 massacre: the Ayatollah’s Iranian regime and the IRGC. Biden also announced the necessity of an Israeli plan to safeguard Gaza civilians, before Israel advances any further. In essence, demanding they stop their advance on Rafah, the last Hamas stronghold in Gaza. Biden followed with a demand that a secure Israeli future, requires the Palestinian Authority to take over Gaza; while working to pressure Israel into a two-state solution. A solution the PA and Hamas will never accept because they seek one solution: the genocidal extermination of Israel.

What would a real friend and ally of Israel do at this pivotal time of the crisis, to obtain peace and prevent the further loss of life in Israel and Gaza?  A friend would demand the immediate, unconditional surrender of all Hamas forces remaining in Gaza – including their leadership. An ally would demand the immediate release of every remaining hostage. A United States true to its historical character as an ally and friend, would starve Iran of the finances they are using to foment terror and create a nuclear weapons capability.

A friend would be open and steadfast in this crisis. But in keeping with being Democrats, Democrats are doing the opposite. They prefer feeding the sheep to the wolves and demanding that Israel’s future be surrounded by terrorists again, plus something new – a nuclear Iran.

But Democrats wish Israel well. They are, after all, Israel’s friends from Hell.

• About
• Latest Posts

Richard Lyons

Richard C. Lyons, author of The DNA of Democracy: Volume I and Shadows of the Acropolis: Volume II is a third generation printer, whose early career centered on religious and special education publishing. Lyons has since engaged in literary pursuits as a poet, essayist, screenwriter and indie publisher.

Latest posts by Richard Lyons (see all)

• Glory on the Fourth - July 4, 2025
• Birth rights and due process - April 25, 2025
• A time to remember - December 24, 2024

Comment

We have no tolerance for comments containing violence, racism, profanity, vulgarity, doxing, or discourteous behavior. Thank you for partnering with us to maintain fruitful conversation.