Support Israel

For over two weeks, Israel and the Lebanese terrorist organization Hezbollah have been engaged in what can now be called nothing less than a war.

The hundreds of missiles fired each day are not about Palestinian rights; instead, this war is about the actual existence of the state of Israel. Yes, Hezbollah and Hamas are determined to accomplish nothing less than the destruction of America's greatest ally.

At this junction, it is essential that the United States develop a unified position relating to Hezbollah and the condemnable support it receives from Syria and Iran. Yet, what can we as concerned Americans do to help the situation in the Middle East?

I encourage you to familiarize yourself with United Nations Security Council Resolution 1559, which demands the dismantlement of militias in Lebanon and the extension of Lebanese sovereignty throughout the country.

Another action we can take is getting involved in the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, which helps pass more than 100 pro-Israel legislative initiatives a year. AIPAC.org is a great start for those interested in becoming a part of America's pro-Israel lobby.

While I cannot force any one of you to take the necessary steps to secure Israel's right to exist, I ask you to, if nothing else, educate yourselves on the issue at hand. For example, most people are unaware of why Lebanese civilians are being killed. No, Israel does not target the innocent; instead, Hezbollah uses human shields to enclose the weaponry that the Israelis must destroy.

My good friends, action is predicated on the notion that an individual can, and must, make a difference. Now is the time to act. Zac Byer Westlake Village