Israelis React to Renewed Conflict with Gaza

Following rocket fire from Gaza, the Israeli cabinet approved the launch of Operation Protective Edge against militants in Gaza on July 7. The rocket fire from Gaza was a response to a wide campaign of arrests of Palestinians suspected of membership in Hamas throughout the West Bank who were then placed under administrative detention. The raids and arrests were the Israeli response to the kidnapping and murder of three Israeli teens in the occupied West Bank by Palestinians probably affiliated with Hamas.

Tom Aharon tweeted about the widespread desire of Israelis to see the government “avenge” the death of the three teens and rocket fire from Gaza:

קיבלתי פוסט בוואטסאפ על כמה שביבי פחדן וחסר ביצים למרות שהוא הולך להשמיד את עזה. יש אנשים שלא ירגעו עד שהם לא יראו אותו אוכל תינוק בטלוויזיה

I got a message on WhatsApp about how Bibi [nickname for Netanyahu] is a coward and a pussy, even though he's going to destroy Gaza. Some people won't calm down until they see him eating a baby on TV

Leftist activist Danit Gottfriend posted on Facebook a message she received in the WhatsApp group of parents in the kindergarten class her son attends:

gaza genocide

The vision… Gaza before [on the right] | Gaza after [on the left]
The green revolution – IDF Landscaping Inc.

Bar Heffetz, who lives in Nirim, next to the border with Gaza, posted on Facebook a criticism of the Prime Minister, Finance Minister and the Economy (Trade) Minister:

האמת כמה שזה נורא אני שמח שזה מתפוצץ לממשלה הזו בפרצוף. זה מגיע לרסיס בישבן בנט, אני בכלל לא בשמאל לפיד, ולמר אירן נתניהו. שזה יקרה במשמרת שלהם ולא יחכה לבאים בתור כי מי שיושב על לוע של הר געש ומתעקש להתעלם אז מגיע לו. רק חבל שזה בא על חשבון כולנו.

To be honest, as terrible as it is, I'm happy that it's blowing up in the face of this government. They deserve it – all of them: [Naftali] “shrapnel in the butt” Bennet, [Yair] “I'm not even a leftist” Lapid, and Mr. Iran, Netanyahu. It should happen on their watch and not wait for the next in line. Because those who sit a top a volcano and insist to ignore it deserve it. It's a shame this comes at our expense.

Gilli Paran tweeted:

נו לפחות עם כל הרקטות האלה אפשר לומר שעזה עשו משהו עם הכסף ששחקני נבחרת אלג'יריה תרמו להם.

Well, at least with all these rockets, you can say that Gaza did something with all the money the Algerian national football team donated to them.

Israeli tweep Lior Oren tweeted:

Many Israelis joked about the name of the operation, which in Hebrew is called “Sturdy Rock”. The English name used by the IDF is “Protective Edge”.

The Israeli satirist who goes by the nickname “Avgad Yavor” tweeted:

אני מציע להפסיק עם היופמיזמים והללכת מסביב הזה ולקרוא למבצע הבא של צה”ל “מבצע זין ענקי”.

I suggest we stop with the euphemisms and call the next IDF operation “Operation Big Penis”

Nitay Peretz, who lives close to the border with Gaza, tweeted:

בן אנד ג'ריס הודיעו שיוציאו טעם חדש של גלידה בשם “צוק איתן” בטעם ווניל-פיסטוק-הסתה לאומנית.

Ben & Jerry's announced they'll be putting out a new ice-cream flavor called “Sturdy Rock” that tastes live vanilla-pistachio-nationalistic incitement.

Tweep Ouriel Daskal quipped:

יש לי שם למבצע בעזה! מבצע דה ז'ה וו

I have a name for the operation in Gaza! Operation déjà vu

The tweep @dkapuchino posted about what he thinks the real purpose of the operation is:

“צוק איתן”. כי “צריכים שתשכחו מכל פרשיות השחיתות ושתפסיקו לפקפק לנו בתקציב הבטחון” נתפס פחות חזק בתקשורת העולמית

‘Sturdy Rock’ because “we need you to forget the corruption scandals and stop doubting our [need to increase the] defense budget” didn't catch on as well in the international media.

Israelis debated the purpose of the operation online.

Israeli opinion columnist Ariana Melamed posted on her Facebook page:

מאד לא מרגיע, כשראש ממשלה מאותגר פוליטית שולח צבא כבול-מבצעית לפעולה ממוחזרת שתסתיים הרבה לפני שיושגו מטרותיה, שלא בטוח מהן.

I'm worried when a politically challenged Prime Minister sends an operationally restricted military to a recycled operation that will end long before its unclear goals are achieved.

Ouriel Daskal tweeted a quote from the Facebook page of the right-wing Transportation Minister Katz and commented:

ישראל כץ: “זהו, ההבלגה הסתיימה!מבצע ״צוק איתן״ יצא לדרך. עכשיו כולנו מאוחדים עד לנצחון”. ניצחון זה שחותמים עם חמאס שיהיה שקט עד קיץ 2015,כן?

Israel Katz: “That's it! The policy of restrain is over! Operation ‘Sturdy Rock’ has started. Now all of us are united until victory.” A victory is when we sign with Hamas that it will be quiet until the summer of 2015, yes?

“Avgad Yavor” tweeted:

יש שאלה אחת שהעיתונאים צריכים לשאול עכשיו את הממשלה, ואני מהמר שהיא לא תישאל:
האם יש קריטריון מדיד שכאשר הוא יושג – נכריז שהמבצע יסתיים?

There is one question journalists need to ask the government now, and I bet it won't be asked: “Is there a measurable criterion than when it is met – we will declare that the operation is over?”

Leftist blogger Noam, who was recently questioned by the Shin Bet for investigating allegations that the Shin Bet tortured children in custody, tweeted:

כולם אומרים שירי על אזרחים הוא פשע מלחמה, אף אחד לא רואה אזרחים בצד השני

Everyone says that firing on civilians in a war crime, and no one sees civilians on the other side

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