Israel has shown restraint.
Over 6,500 rockets and mortars have been fired from Gaza towards Israel since the latter's withdrawal in 2005. That's about 1 every three hours. more than 3000 were fired in 2008 alone.

Quantifying the impact of rockets on Israelis:

1. Rocket attacks increased by 500 percent after Israel withdrew completely from the Gaza Strip in August 2005.


2. The rockets have increased not only in number but also in range; they are now able to reach Beersheva and Yavneh, some 60 km (37 miles) away from Gaza; more than 700,000 Israelis are now in range of the rockets.


3. The rocket barrage has resulted in at least thirteen deaths, more than 780 wounded and tens of thousands traumatized, including thousands of children.


4. Over 90 percent of Sderot residents have experienced a rocket exploding on their own street or an adjacent one.


5. For more than three years families in southern Israel have spent nights in bomb shelters rather than bedrooms; during the day school children, adults and the elderly are forced to run for bomb shelters on a regular basis. Israelis have been living in constant fear, begging the government to do something to stop the attacks. For eight years, Israel showed restraint.

Israel has a right and responsibility to protect its citizens.
Israel is not fighting the Palestinian people; it is fighting the terrorist organization, Hamas which has vowed the destruction of Israel. The operation is a defensive mission designed to stop Hamas from launching rockets and mortars against Israel; it is a counterattack in every sense of the word.  Every government has the duty and right to protect its citizens. Israel has no intention of occupying Gaza.

Israel is making every effort to avoid civilian casualties. 
Israel is targeting Hamas installations only. Every effort has been taken to minimize civilian casualties.  We are saddened by the deaths of any innocent civilians.  At the same time, Hamas bears the responsibility as Hamas terrorists hide among the civilian population using them as human shields.   The contrast is striking.  Hamas intentionally targets civilians; Israel makes every effort to minimize civilian casualties.  

Israel desires a secure peace with its neighbors.
Israel is engaged in the peace process with the Palestinian Authority and supports a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. In the past Israel has made sacrifices for the sake of peace and is quite willing to do so again for a better future for all sides. Israel gave up the entire Sinai Peninsula for peace with Egypt, which has resulted in a quiet border for the last 30 years.