Headlines in the mainstream media falsely portray an equivalence of firepower between Israelis and Palestinians in Gaza. But Israel‘s use of force greatly exceeds that of the Palestinians, and the asymmetric warfare continues to escalate. The Obama administration and Congress have condemned the rocket fire into Israel by Hamas and the „deliberate targeting of civilians.“ But Washington says Israel has a right to defend itself, justifying Israel‘s bombing campaign in Gaza and blaming Hamas, while minimizing Israel‘s role in creating and escalating the violence.