(JNS) As regional tensions mount and more US naval vessels arrive in the Gulf and surrounding waters, Israelis tune in to the nightly forecast. Alongside the chance of cloudy skies and rain, viewers are calmly informed of the probabilities of missile fire.
This is said without irony. Without panic. Almost without pause.
Growing up in America, this would have been unthinkable. No American president, Republican or Democrat—or even a European leader, for that matter—would ever tolerate a reality in which missiles could be arbitrarily lobbed onto their sovereign soil. The response would be immediate, overwhelming and unquestioned.
Yet somehow, the world has grown accustomed to the absurdity of routine missile fire directed at Israel. As if this is an acceptable condition of existence. As if this is normal. And God forbid, Israel should respond.
Some argue that Israel’s air-defense systems render these attacks relatively harmless. Really? Does that even make sense?
The fact that we can defend ourselves doesn’t diminish the intent behind these deadly weapons. Missiles aimed at population centers are not symbolic gestures or warnings.
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