Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- For over ten days now, Israeli civilian population were under constant rockets' attack instigated by Hamas and other terror organizations in Gaza.

What started as Hamas dismay at the Palestinian Authority's decision to postpone the elections in which they hoped to gain more power, has turned into incitement and call for violence on Temple Mount, a most sacred place for Muslims. Hamas incitement then turned into barrages of rockets aimed at Israeli towns and cities, including barrages on the holy city of Jerusalem. 

Thankfully, Israel's Iron done system managed to intercept most of Hamas's terror rockets, while about one quarter of them actually fell inside Gaza strip, causing havoc among Palestinian population and property.

This is a double war crime - aiming terror rockets at Israeli civilian population from within Palestinian civilian population.

The right of any country to defend its citizen is a basic and just one .Naturally and rightfully, Israel Defense Forces attacked back and in hit terrorist commands, ammunition stockpiles and smuggling tunnels. At the same time, Israel did it utmost to avoid any civilian casualties. 

Yet, throughout these difficult days, a phenomena, a worrying one, has surfaced - here in Uzbekistan.

We have witnessed a hateful Anti-Semitic discourse online, on social media, some of it instigated by well-known figures, aimed at Israel. I am all for free speech, and I believe that good people care about the misfortunes of others, Palestinian population included. But to aim the finger at Israel as the sole source of these misfortunes and neglecting to understand what the on-going terror regime of Hamas is causing the People in Gaza is pure ignorance. 

Trashing Israel and calling for violence here in Uzbekistan, a tolerant nation that has been a haven for Jewish refugees in WWII, is plain dangerous. 

It’s important to acknowledge the simple fact that the conflict in our region is not a religious one. It is not a conflict between “Israelis” and “Palestinians” but a political conflict between the state of Israel and terror organizations. 

Last night, a ceasefire was declared. Throughout the operation, Hamas’s terror abilities were drastically harmed and its capacities degraded. This is a good outcome for both Israelis and Palestinians – perhaps now voices that are more moderate will emerge, for the benefit of the Palestinian people. Our hope is that the ceasefire will stabilize the situation and restore sought-after peace and tranquility for all in our region.

I hope that the radical online discourse will quickly fade away, and reason and tolerance will again reign. I believe that the bridges built between our nations are strong and long-standing. I believe that that the friendship between Israel and Uzbekistan is strong and long-standing.

Zehavit Ben Hillel,

Ambassador of the State of Israel to the Republic of Uzbekistan