Ruth King

When one revisits the Israeli raids on Entebbe on June 4th, 1976 and the destruction of Iraq’s nuclear reactor on June 7th, 1981, one feels great pride in the pluck and bravery of Israel. What leader today can or would inspire and send a covert mission to rescue hostages held in Entebbe, Uganda by a combination of Arab and German terrorists, abetted by Ugandan troops armed with advanced Russian weapons?

Three Israeli Hercules planes flew 2500 miles, landed under cover of night, and their troops stormed the airport where the hostages were held.

In the ensuing 35 minute battle, the Israelis destroyed 11 Russian MIGs on the ground, killed all the terrorists and freed 100 hostages. Yonatan Netanyahu, commander of the operation was shot to death by a Ugandan sentry. He is of blessed memory.

Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin who ordered the mission said "This operation will certainly be inscribed in the annals of military history, in legend and in national tradition." And indeed it is. It was the first salvo in the war against terrorism.

In 1981, Menachem Begin, then Prime Minister of Israel, became alarmed by the rapid building of a nuclear reactor in Iraq and planned one of the most dazzling military missions of all time.

On June 7th, 1981, Israeli F­15 and F­16's roared off the runway from Etzion Air Force Base in the Sinai desert. They followed a difficult low­level navigation route to Iraq. Every detail of the missions had been planned and was executed meticulously. When the air squadron sighted the reactor, the planes climbed precipitously to unload their cargo of bombs. Enemy defenses were caught by surprise, and in one minute and twenty seconds, the Osirak reactor lay in ruins. All planes returned safely in spite of dangerously low levels of fuel.

These were breathtaking actions in the global war against terrorism. Our pride and admiration are mitigated by rue at the loss of nerve that has overcome Israel and its leaders. Fatuous apologies and concessions to barbarians have replaced national courage and resolution.