I know that Israel has sensitive security interests relating to operations in Syria that need to be preserved when dealing with the Russian government.
Follow Israel Hayom on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram
But that doesn't mean that Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov can poop on Israel, defame Jews everywhere, and defile Jewish history by shouting that "Hitler had Jewish blood" and that "the biggest antisemites are Jews themselves."
Israel must strike back when such outrages are uttered. (Good for Prime Minister Bennett and Foreign Minister Lapid for doing so last week.)
I know that the Kingdom of Jordan plays an important role in securing Israel's long eastern border, and that the kings of Jordan have been allies in Israel's struggle against radical Islamic forces.
But that doesn't mean that Jordanian Prime Minister Bisher Khasawneh can erupt in seditious salute to Palestinian rioters "who proudly stand like minarets, hurling their stones in a volley of clay at the Zionist sympathizers defiling the Al-Aqsa Mosque under the protection of the Israeli occupation government."
Israel must strike back when such outrages are expressed. (Especially since the chutzpadik kingdom is so utterly dependent on Israel for its water, electricity, and even its security.)
I know that Palestinian Authority leader Mahmoud Abbas is the least bad Palestinian leader Israel is likely to deal with any time in the coming decade – even though his administration is corrupt, decrepit, and obstructionist. He allows a minimum of security coordination with Israel to persist.
But that doesn't mean that Abbas can roil the waters and foment violence against Israel by repeating the canard that "Al-Aqsa is in danger," and "Zionists are conspiring to blow-up the mosques" on the Temple Mount.
Israel must strike back when such lies are voiced. (Especially since the insolent Abbas is so utterly dependent on Israel for his own survival. Did you know that Israel is still fundraising for the PA at international donor conferences!?)
I know that back in 1967 Israel ceded some administrative functions on the Temple Mount to the Jordanian and Palestinian-backed Islamic Trust known as the Wakf, that Israel has recognized a "special role" for Jordan on the Temple Mount; and that Israel Police must proceed with prudence when handling worshippers and rioters on the Mount.
But that doesn't mean that Israel should allow radical Palestinian and Islamic actors to turn the Mount into a base of hostile operations against Israel, with police using kid gloves, if at all, against such violence.
Israel must strike back hard when such assaults are underway. (Especially since the lies and attacks on the Temple Mount, the holiest place on earth to Jews, are meant to undermine the core narrative of Jewish rootedness in the Land of Israel. This also is the reason that prayer for Jews on the Temple Mount must be facilitated soon.)
I know that the European Union is Israel's largest trading partner and that some European leaders truly care about Israel's prosperity and security.
But that doesn't mean that the EU can be allowed to amplify big Palestinian lies by blabbering about Israel's "unacceptable" actions, "excessive" force, and "violations of the status quo" on the Temple Mount. Neither should Israel tolerate shifty, supposedly balanced statements calling on "both sides" to de-escalate conflict.
Israel must strike back when it is treated with such disingenuousness.
As the State of Israel approaches its 75th anniversary, it is time to get tough with Israel's foes, its often-fickle friends, and its internal adversaries. Israel's foreign and domestic policies should reflect self-respect and self-confidence, while being pursued, of course, with all due caution.
Pride and pragmatism should be the anchors of Israeli policy. But certainly, Israel should not tolerate anybody treating it like a punching bag.
Subscribe to Israel Hayom's daily newsletter and never miss our top stories!
