Israel's Right to Defend Itself: Implications for Regional Security and U.S. Interests

Israel's successful military operation, Pillar of Defense, eliminated Hamas' top leaders and disabled several rocket launch sites depleting Hamas' operational capabilities. This is not just about specific actions by Hamas in Gaza, but about a Palestinian Authority that does nothing to reign in Hamas and other Palestinian extremist groups, and allows intolerance and incitement to violence against the Jewish State to fester. The constant sound of sirens as rockets from Palestinian extremists head toward Israeli towns and cities is a sobering reminder of the imminent threats facing the Jewish State. Israel is surrounded by rogue regimes and terrorist organizations that wish to wipe her off the map.