The media reports and eventual confirmation from the IDF about its operation to evacuate 800 Syrian White Helmet volunteers to Jordan is interesting and important. On Saturday evening, while many Israelis in synagogues across the country were reading the Book of Lamentations and mourning the destruction of the Temple and desertion of Jerusalem by God, the IDF was performing an extraordinary humanitarian gesture for a group of people ensnared in the Syrian quagmire.
The civil aid organization has worked hard for years to pull survivors from the rubble of Bashar Assad's onslaughts. While people in Israel and across the globe argue over the IDF's ethics, it was proven yet again that Israeli soldiers are standing tall in defense of our country and never abandon the values we have carried as a nation for thousands of years.
The rescue operation was carried out in conjunction with the United States, Russia and Jordan. The customary rules of the game in the Middle East are quickly changing. Presidents Trump and Putin, beyond their personal regard for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, are well aware that Israel is the only power in the region, an enlightened democracy, which can be trusted to provide any type of stability in a part of the world so rife with hate, terror and lack of minimal respect for human life. Arab countries near and far have also realized by now that cooperation with Israel will help prevent hostile takeovers of their lands. We shouldn't be surprised if this secret alliance comes to light one day soon.
Western civilization still hasn't found the tools to cope with a reality where terrorist states and organizations harbor a basic disregard for human life. Civilians are forced to serve as living shields for inhumane savages. Israel and the IDF are on the front lines against them and often deliberate over questions pertaining to combat ethics. Very few armies can fight a tough, unforgiving battle while upholding basic humanity and acknowledging the value of all human life.
Every Israeli knows the IDF can very swiftly wipe out hundreds of Gazans, bomb the hospitals where the "brave" terrorist leaders hide and turn apartment buildings housing terrorists into rubble. The IDF, however, in accordance with its values and legacy, will never act like our enemies. True, this comes with a price, but on the day the fighting ends we will have to look at ourselves in the mirror and we will want to see an ethical and moral reflection staring back at us – for the sake of future generations.
I sincerely doubt whether European countries – hypocritical by nature – can appreciate the significance of this rescue operation. A few days ago, Germany castigated Israel for its conduct against incendiary kite launchers, and is now hailing the rescue operation. This gratitude is certain to be short-lived, and soon the failing and collapsing EU will take its customary one-sided stance against Israel.
The political and military echelon will continue to ensure the country's security and it will continue to offer help anywhere in the world to save people. This isn't motivated by a desire to pander. Rather, there is profound recognition that these are Israel's core values as the national home of the Jewish people.
