Concerns about the Middle East, put on a back burner due to a tenuous but, until recently, holding cease fire, are now back in focus as Israel launches deadly air raids against the Gaza strip.
News reports indicate at least 145 dead and more than 310 wounded.
The raids were in response to renewed rocket launches against Israel.
The Israeli Defence Forces say that Hamas security compounds were targeted.
If experience proves consistent, international reaction to the retaliatory raids will be deafening as compared to the mute response to the initial attacks. Israel is sure to be condemned for its "disproportionate" response to the Hamas aggression.
Suddenly, there will be renewed talk about an equitable solution to the conflict. Talk that seems to take a holiday during times of peace.
The loss of human life aside, Hamas gains politically from its attacks and the subsequent response. It's political agenda gets thrust into the spotlight. And Israel gets condemned. Perfect. If it were not for the people who are now dead.
The very international community that will now strongly criticize Israel is culpable for not speaking out and working for a peaceful solution when there is no conflict. It's time to stop with the self righteousness and to start a meaningful process.
My hope is that the incoming Obama administration will take advantage of the hope the president-elect inspires among Americans and people around the world and insert itself diplomatically. This requires, not a benign approach where the president of the United States pats the leaders of both sides on the head. But a strong, nearly dictatorial approach, that forces both sides to come up with a peace plan.
The United States and the rest of the world should be clear and unified in its reproach to Hamas aggression as well. To put the entire onus on Israel, simply because it enjoys military might, misses the point.
Israel's use of military power is always in response to attacks. Hamas has to be told that its misbehavior and provocation will no longer be rewarded with political reproaches of Israel's response.
10 comments:
Go Israel.
Right now in my opinion (27/12/08 16:00) there is nothing to comment on. The Israeli govt has not issued any statements of objectives, and as long as this is only air strikes it is just flash and noise. When and if ground troops engage then it will be serious. Just remember 2006 when Israel illustrated you cannot really win a war with only air strength. You need boots on ground with an actual plan.
There was almost no world media coverage of the dozens of daily hamas missile attacks throughout the last week since the end of the ceasefire. I was shocked to learn from friends in the UK (after my yearly round of seasonal phone calls) that all they heard was "rockets fired into Israel" that they presumed were one or two isolated incidents and not, as they were amazed to hear, of 60 per day.
Now, when Israel has decided enough is enough and that hamas will pay the price for its constant antagonism, the world media will rise just to condemn us.
Sorry, but this Israeli, like many today, will gladly suffer the expected backlash.
War is NOT "clean". Israel has for too long been trying to fight a "clean" war. This time there will be no pussyfooting around.
Military targets of opportunity were exactly the right response. 90 semi-trucks were allowed into the Gaza the day before to supply the civilian population with vital fuels and heating oil to sustain the basic needs despite rockets being launched into Israel the entire time the goods were being delivered. This was a gesture of good faith and continued attempts to negotiate a peaceful resolution ? Hamas has never considered peace with Israel and in fact I don't see Hamas ever smoking a peace pipe with Israel. What would the United States do if Mexico rocketed El Paso from Juarez, Mexico.... I think our retaliatory strike to an act of aggression committed would lead us straight into Mexico City. Hamas has done nothing to improve the stability and economic improvement of Palestinians in this region. The only thing Hamas intended by "governing" the Gaza was to establish a platform of opportunity to further use and exploit Palestinians as puppets in a sick and religious game of chess. When Arab nations take a stand ...send UN supported Muslim troops into the Gaza to rid the Hamas and actually establish a strong and productive society of peaceful people that establish a government that wants peace and economic improvement by creating partnerships and free trade with Israel and Egypt...maybe I will change my opinion in this matter.
The Whole situation is Disgusting and inexcusable!
To me, this appears to be yet another case of Israel taking steps to illustrate that they will take action to defend themselves. While others on the opposite side of the argument will claim aggression now that media is listening, it seems to be the same old tactic on both sides of the line.
The comment made suggesting retaliation would occur should Juarez strike El Paso is likely accurate to one degree or another. Acts of aggression are dealt with appropriately based upon the severity of the initial attack. I believe the Israelis have and will continue to show restraint up to a point, and then take action as is appropriate.
Some of the most balanced coverage comes from Haaretz, where it's common for thoughtful Israelis to criticise the IDF. This article by Gideon Levy provides adult insight into a difficult situation.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1050459.html
Americans who think they are supporting Israel may simply be supporting a particular Israeli faction, not realizing that Israeli are views are quite diverse.
You know what sucks,i see and meet people around world that have never been to the Israeli side,and supporting Palestinians. They never check what's going on at the other side,they never read history.
I have a feeling that the world got to a point they are afraid of Islam. We are the only nation that got balls to fight Islam people for 60 years.
I am proud of the IDF! Maybe the world needs more Islam terror attacks to understands.
Gal in Israel
There will never be real peace between Israel and Lebanon as long as Hamas has a viable say in the internal workings of Government. The Democratically elected Terrorist Group will never garner sympathy from me or anyone in the free world until they put down their arms and demonstrate an ability to care for the Lebanese people first, by building a solid infrastructure and securing their borders in a positive way. The fact that Hamas was elected to begin with says a lot about the choices the Lebanese people have, which, is none at this time.
Would that all our Governments would take such decisive actions to protect their citizens!
What really ticks me off about the media is that they have ignored the Hamas rocket attacks on Israel (almost 7000), but are now outraged that Israel is retaliating, and in essence saying - enough is enough.
We are bombarded on our TV screens with shots of the same people entering the hospitals - these shots repeated and repeated. What they don't point out is that Hamas sited its military positions in civilian occupied areas, nor do they point out that the peace agreement signed between Israel and the Palestinians lasted for just over 36 hours. But let's ignore that and blame Israel - after all, that's easiest. The UN needs to get it's heads out of the butts of the Arab lobby and look at the facts before issuing dictats ( or maybe they should concentrate on Zimbabwe or Daffur)
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