In the past few days, since the worst terror attack in Israel's history has unfolded, there has been a swelling of the myth that the Gaza Strip is an "open-air prison." This is a falsehood that has to be dispelled.
Firstly, Israel is unique in the emphasis it places on warning civilians to evacuate before an attack. Gazan civilians do have places to go, such as schools, which aren't targeted. Thousands have taken refuge there in recent days, as my friend in Gaza told me.
Secondly, let's talk about the fact that Israel secures its border with Gaza, and always has. The reason for this is security. We don't need to imagine what would happen if Israel had allowed the border to be open over the past 17 years: We saw it in gruesome reality over the weekend, with children beheaded, the elderly taken as hostages, and senseless violence in peaceful communities. What should Israel do, allow its civilians to be butchered just to avoid liberal Westerners accusing it of creating an "open-air prison"?
This is an allegation that is designed to undermine Israel's efforts to protect its people, the soft front of the Jihadi movement, perpetrated by useful idiots.
