People are Dying

Last post I addressed the current fighting in this latest round of Palestinian and Israeli violence. I was trying my best to be diplomatic and understand the conflict from both sides. I still think that is a good way to approach any disagreement, especially one where people are dying and religion is involved. At this point though the level of Israeli pounding the Gazans are enduring is out of control. According to the UN's humanitarian agency Palestinian health officials say at least 683 Palestinians have been killed and more than 3,085 have been injured in the last 12 days.  2 Israeli soldiers have been killed in Gaza by Palestinians in the ground offensive (4 more from friendly fire), while 3 civilians and 1 soldier have died in Israel from Gaza rocket fire. I don't mean to say the pain and loss felt by the Israeli families who lose somebody is any easier, it's just that the numbers don't lie. I think most people would prefer to hear that one family member was killed than to find out they are the only member of their family left alive.

I understand that no free country would allow their neighbor to indiscriminately fire rockets or send suicide bombers onto buses without retaliation. I also understand no country would allow themselves to be imprisoned by their neighbors without striking back. The whole way the system works between Gaza and Israel shows without a doubt that Israel has the upper-hand. They control land crossings, water and air-space and have been starving the Gaza residents by letting in little more than humanitarian aid for the past 18 months. We're talking about 1.5 million people being denied electricity, clean water, basic medical supplies, food and most importantly they are denied any way to change that. 

Yeah sure you could say "all they have to do is stop the rockets" but the average Gaza resident has as much control over Hamas as an average Israeli citizen has over their government, or that we Americans have over our military. We can protest all we want without stopping anything over in Iraq.

Think for yourself here people. If you were forced to live under these conditions could you grow up without resenting Israel? I'm sure there are a good amount of Gaza residents who see how Hamas is sacrificing their lives to advance an extreme agenda, we know Hamas didn't win a unanimous victory when they last had elections. But Gaza seems to me to be the worlds largest prison. If they were in a crisis before this military show of force what is to come of them after? Those children who survive this now will only grow to hate Israel even more, they will figure out new ways to lash out, and Israel will crack down even harder. 

What is Israel to do? I don't know but I don't think the current plan is gonna work. The only way to permanently eliminate the threat of rockets or other attacks from Gaza is to obliterate it... That's what they call a genocide right? [Genocide: noun - The deliberate killing of a large number of people, especially those of a particular ethnic group or nation.] The term that was coined to put a name to the crime the Nazi's perpetrated on the Jews. Well that leaves a bad taste in Israel's mouth no?

What do EWE Think?

Here We Go Again

Israel vs. Palestine

The Palestinian Radical Militant group Hamas has declared an end to it's 6 month cease fire with Israel in the Gaza Strip. Hamas issued a statement saying Israel had not "respected" the truce, while Israel said in it's own statement that militants "had chosen violence over truth". The truce, brokered by Egypt began June 19th. Rocket fire from Palestine and military operations and blockades from Israel were never completely halted.

Israel is in an election cycle and tough talks from politicians will do little to ease Palestinian fears of the bad times ahead. Hamas and other militant groups make no qualms when it comes to their intentions of fighting til the end. They still strive for martyrdom and destruction of Israel. Hamas was voted into power by the people. While the democratically elected Israeli government has wide support as well. It seems like the only ones who want a truly peaceful solution are outsiders and the voice-less victims on both sides. 

I try to understand what is going on with these two countries. I have taken a special interest in this particular conflict for years now. I don't claim to be an expert but I do pay attention. At different times I've felt different ways and I can't truly pick a side. Some things are clear to me though. 

I do feel Israel has the upper-hand in the situation. They receive support from the US both financial and technological. If Israel truly wanted to wipe the Palestinians off the map they have the ability and that trump card is a strong weapon. 

The Palestinian resistance does need a better plan. Firing rockets at Israeli population centers, or suicide bombings, or tractor attacks are dirty tactics. Many will argue that they have no choice but to fight the best they can, but they have to understand how little support these methods of attack garner from the international community.

It's hard to even start a piece like this, there are contradictions at every sentence. I know if I were a Palestinian I would want to strike out at Israel in any way I could. And if I were an Israeli I'd want to protect mine and my family's lives any way I could. It's been such a historically disputed area for soooooo long that religion is used as history. Judaism and Islam are both 100% right in their own eyes.

I think it is obvious for many people that this has less and less to do with any faith, ideology, or anything practical anymore. Basically this whole thing has turned into a power struggle driven by fear, anger and most of all revenge on both sides. 

WHAT DO EWE THINK?