Sam Gejdenson: “the tragic events in Israel in the last several days, the bombings by Hamas, are not simply actions taken by a handful…”

“the tragic events in Israel in the last several days, the bombings by Hamas, are not simply actions taken by a handful of extremists. These extremists function because they have economic support that comes from countries and individuals around the globe. It is time that the efforts to attain peace be broadened beyond the United States, Israel, and the PLO. It is time for our Western Allies to join the American effort to isolate forces in the world that support terrorism. Our Western European Allies continue to do business as usual with the Government of Iran, that is probably the most central supporter of Hamas and its terrorism. Our Western European Allies, like England, France, and Germany, continue to buy oil and provide technical assistance to that Government that provides the economic support and often the direction for these terrorist movements. Countries that Americans have bled for, like Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, also send a large portion of the funds that go to Hamas. Several months ago when Yasser Arafat was here in this Capitol, he complained it was easier for Hamas to get funding from some of these groups than it was for Yasser Arafat trying to lead the Palestinians toward a lasting peace with the Israelis. United States leadership has existed historically around the globe. That is why much of the world turns to us when there is a crisis. In Yugoslavia it was clear the world could not deal with that crisis unless America played a central role.”