Intro: Israel has been bombarded with 200 rockets from Islamic Jihad as they declared they are now at war with Israel.
The barrage prompted Israel to close schools and workplaces in Tel Aviv.
The Jewish Press reported that the escalated attacks were in response to the targeted assassination of senior Islamic Jihad terrorist Baha Abu al-Ata.
Providing insight on these developments is David Rubin, former mayor of Shiloh, Israel and author of “Trump and the Jews”, David Rubin.
Q&A:
- How much damage was caused by the 200 rockets?
Answer: 52 people were treated for light injuries but what is not measured in such attacks is the psychological damage caused when children and adults run into bomb shelters when the warning sirens go off.
- How much worse would it have been if not for The Iron Dome defense?
Answer: Far worse, but the main damage is caused when Israel does not go on the offense. Currently, Israel exercises restraint and only takes measured counterstrikes. The leaders of Islamic Jihad know this, but they view Israel’s meekness as weakness. Sadly, these attacks will likely escalate until Israel gains the political resolve to change strategy to a strong offensive stand.
- As bad as the Islamic Jihad attack of 200 rockets was, Hezbollah has had 150,000 missiles pointed at Israel in recent years, widely believed to be sponsored by Iran, but past attacks by Hezbollah have caused only limited damage. Is anything likely to change regarding that ongoing threat?
Answer: The prior rocket attacks had no guidance systems and they were quite random. But if Iran upgrades to firing drone attacks like the type that Iran used to strike Saudi oil fields in September of 2019, it will be a game changer that could wreak tremendous damage and likely triggering an immediate response by Israel. For clarification, Hezbollah is located north of Israel in Lebanon and Syria. Islamic Jihad is south of Israel in Gaza. But they both are heavily funded by Iran.
- The Times of Israel has reported that plans are underway for larger attacks that may even be imminent. How accurate do you think this is?
Answer: Sometimes the Times has gotten things right; other times not. Time will tell if the Times story has merit, but based on the history of Iranian aggression, we have to take all threats seriously.
- Mayor Rubin, you and your son were victims of a terrorist attack, leading to your forming an organization helping children who were victims of terror. Can you tell us about that?
Answer: My son and I were ambushed and wounded by Muslim terrorists. I was shot in the leg and my three-year-old son was shot in the head, putting him in critical condition. After our long period of recovery, I established Shiloh Israel Children’s Fund to heal the trauma of terror victim children, with a special emphasis on those children suffering from PTSD from the relentless onslaught of terrorism.
- Your book “Trump and the Jews” covered much of what we discussed today. Where may we get a copy of your book?
Answer: Just go to Amazon.com and type in the words, Trump and the Jews, or go to www.DavidRubinIsrael.com
Bio: David Rubin, former Mayor of Shiloh Israel, is the author of the book, “Trump and the Jews”. Rubin is the founder and president of Shiloh Israel Children’s Fund, established after he and his then three-year-old son were wounded in a terror attack. He can be found at www.DavidRubinIsrael.com or at http://www.ShilohIsraelChildren.org
