We have seen them before – most recently in 2002, after the Park Hotel massacre in Netanya when Israel sent its troops into Jenin and then, in 2006, during the Second Lebanon War – and we see them, alas, again today: incendiary, hysterical demonstrations against Israel.

Furious protesters flock to the streets in rabid indignation, offended that the Jewish state has deigned to strike back at those who seek its destruction. Lies, mistruths and calumnies are their slogans. Brazen, unveiled threats against Israel are their rallying cries.

“Free Palestine” was the most commonly chanted plea we heard and saw last week from demonstrations in Canada, the United States and Europe.

We know only too well what the code words “Free Palestine” really mean. When that sinister cry rises from the tumult of the protests, the demonstrators are unmasked. They might just as well be chanting “Destroy Israel” or “Kill the Jews.”

At first we cringe. Then we seethe. Then we summon our resolve and courage not to surrender our ancient, sacred, life-affirming, people-defining aspirations to the terrorists and their apologists.

Since the very first moment it wrested control of Gaza from the Fatah-oriented Palestinian Authority, Hamas’ sole national enterprise has been to harm Israel. Its every strategy and plan, including using Palestinian civilians as human shields and human weapons, have been dedicated to killing as many Jews as possible.

On Al-Aqsa television last year, Fathi Hamad, a Hamas official, eloquently, if not also ghoulishly, explained why it does so. “For the Palestinian people, death became an industry… Accordingly, [Palestinians] created a human shield of women, children, the elderly and the jihad fighters against the Zionist bombing machine, as if they were saying to the Zionist enemy: ‘We desire death as you desire life.’”

But Hamas terror and violence today is also aimed at fellow Palestinians. A Hamas official in Gaza was reported to have said last weekend that his security forces had launched a massive “preemptive” campaign aimed at thwarting Fatah’s attempts to “spread anarchy and chaos.” The media reported that “sources close to Hamas revealed over the weekend that the movement had “executed” more than 35 Palestinians who were suspected of collaborating with Israel and were being held in various Hamas security installations… At least 75 activists were shot in the legs, while others had their hands broken.”

Community federations and other groups have organized rallies in support of Israel for tonight, Jan. 8, in Vancouver, Calgary, Winnipeg, Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal.

Israel’s war is a just one. The right of the people of Israel to live in peace and security, free from terror, is a just cause. Moreover, it is also our cause. It is, in fact, the cause of the entire free world.

As many of us as possible should attend those rallies.