Days of Repentance: An Israeli Operation for Survival and Strengthening Western Values
By Bobby Darvish
darvishintelligence.blogspot.com
In a world increasingly hostile toward Israel, the only free democracy in the Middle East, it is critical to understand the context and the motivations behind operations like the "Days of Repentance" (Yamim Noraim). This 2004 Israeli military operation aimed to prevent the launch of Qassam rockets from Gaza into southern Israel. It wasn’t an offensive against a people but a strategic, defensive act by a nation surrounded by hostile forces. The operation reveals a stark truth: the enduring struggle Israel faces from terror organizations that seek its destruction, a struggle familiar to any who cherish freedom, democracy, and human rights.
As an Iranian-American and ex-Muslim, I view Israel not only as a beacon of stability in a volatile region but as a safeguard for values that align deeply with Western ideals. These values, rooted in Judeo-Christian ethics, affirm individual rights and uphold the freedom of conscience and expression. Israeli actions in Gaza during the Days of Repentance are best understood in this light — a necessary defense not just of Israeli citizens, but of the very principles of democracy.
The Context Behind "Days of Repentance"
"Days of Repentance" began in September 2004 in response to the escalating rocket attacks on Israeli civilians from Hamas and other terror groups operating in Gaza. These rockets, rudimentary yet deadly, were aimed specifically at non-combatant areas with the sole purpose of instilling fear and causing chaos among Israeli families. This action forced the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) to conduct a targeted operation to root out the militants responsible, neutralize launch sites, and reduce the rocket threat.
For years, Israel has exercised caution, seeking peace while being met with hostility from groups whose charters explicitly call for its annihilation. In the case of the Days of Repentance operation, Israel’s response was proportionate to the threat, seeking to minimize casualties among Palestinian civilians while effectively targeting militant strongholds. Yet the international community was quick to criticize, with many condemning Israel for its actions without comprehending the existential threat Israel faces daily. This is the double standard Israel often confronts — an expectation to exercise restraint while under constant siege.
Israel as a Pillar of Western Values in the Middle East
From my perspective, Israel stands as a stronghold of democracy, especially as an Iranian who witnessed firsthand the oppressive force of an Islamist regime. In Iran, like many other Islamist states, individual freedom is an illusion. The regime controls religious expression, bans many basic freedoms, and promotes anti-Western and anti-Semitic narratives. This is starkly different in Israel, where diversity in religion, race, and belief is respected. Israel’s operational necessity, such as Days of Repentance, doesn’t compromise its democratic principles; rather, it reflects a commitment to survival while maintaining core freedoms for its citizens.
During Days of Repentance, Israel faced a difficult decision: allow rockets to continue endangering lives or take decisive action. Any Western country faced with a similar threat would do the same. The United States, for instance, after the attacks of September 11, responded with a vast military campaign in Afghanistan, Iraq, and beyond to prevent further attacks. Yet, when Israel takes similar measures, it often receives disproportionate condemnation. This disparity is not just unfair; it reveals a disturbing lack of understanding of the critical need for self-defense in the face of relentless terror.
The Western Christian’s Responsibility to Stand with Israel
Israel’s struggle against terrorism and for its survival is one that Christians, particularly in the West, should understand. It is a nation that upholds the values we as Christians and Westerners hold dear. Israel’s heritage as the birthplace of Judaism and its ties to Christianity are profound. Christians and Jews alike understand that the preservation of Israel means the survival of a bastion of religious freedom in a region rife with persecution of both faiths.
It is often forgotten that Christians, too, face persecution in Gaza, Iran, and other Middle Eastern nations. I have witnessed the suppression firsthand. Israel, on the other hand, is one of the few places in the Middle East where Christians, Jews, and Muslims coexist peacefully, a reality many critics of Israel refuse to acknowledge. Defending Israel is not just about supporting one nation’s right to exist — it is about defending the principles of religious freedom, tolerance, and coexistence that Israel exemplifies.
Why "Days of Repentance" Resonates Today
Reflecting on the Days of Repentance operation, it’s clear that Israel’s right to defend itself remains as relevant as ever. As terror groups like Hamas and Hezbollah continue to amass arms and attack Israeli civilians, Israel must take actions that preserve its people’s safety and the democratic freedoms its citizens enjoy. The operation’s name, "Days of Repentance," is a call not only for self-defense but for the international community to recognize and support the inherent right of Israel to exist securely.
For Christians in America and around the world, there is a duty to understand the existential threats Israel faces and to support its right to defend itself. Israel’s battle against terrorism and religious extremism is a struggle we share. Recognizing this, we should not remain silent or apathetic. The defense of Israel is a defense of values that transcend borders — values of life, liberty, and the right to live without the shadow of terrorism.
In a world increasingly hostile toward both Israel and Christian values, Christians must take a stand. If we value democracy, religious freedom, and human rights, we must support Israel’s right to protect itself and to flourish as the beacon of freedom it is.
References:
- "Days of Repentance (Operation).” Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs, mfa.gov.il.
- "The Right to Defend: Israel's Defense Policies." Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs, jcpa.org.
- "Rocket Attacks on Israeli Civilians by Hamas." The IDF Blog, idf.il.
- "Israel and the Western Values of Freedom and Democracy." The Begin-Sadat Center for Strategic Studies, besacenter.org.
- "Religious Persecution in Gaza and the Middle East." Open Doors, opendoorsusa.org.
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