ISRAEL’S BOMBING and ground invasion of Gaza has provoked strong international reaction. Foes of Israel flatly condemn the action and demand an immediate cease-fire. Friends of Israel express equally strong — if somewhat qualified — support of the invasion.
But the problem of Gaza and Israel is too complex to find an answer in either camp.
Israel’s real target in Gaza is the Hamas government, which was elected by the people. Jerusalem has grown weary of Hamas rockets flying into southern Israel and what seem to be continuing efforts to turn Gaza into an arsenal with one purpose — to destroy the Jewish state.
With Hamas in power in the south and Hezbollah reigning in Lebanon to the north, the Israeli government feels trapped between two implacable foes.
But also trapped in the middle, particularly in Gaza right now, are the Palestinian people — the noncombatants who have been pawns in the games of Mideast politics for many years. In the crowded cities of Gaza, they are a shield for Hamas and an unavoidable source of embarrassment for the invader. Civilian casualties are an inevitable consequence of conventional war in the Middle East.
Does that mean Israel should have found another way to accomplish its aim? Perhaps, but what other way is there?
Condemnation is easy, from a distance. But consider this — not as a justification, but as a hypothetical exercise in international behavior:
What if al-Qaida took control of Havana and started lobbing missiles into Florida? Would the United States wait for the rest of the world to persuade al-Qaida to stop its attacks?
Not likely. It would invade and consider any civilian casualties “acceptable.” Given that, how can the United States — or any other country — expect Israel not to respond militarily?
That does not mean that military action will gain Jerusalem the security it seeks. Even if Israel does manage to smash Hamas, the invasion will, inevitably, create a new generation of Palestinian terrorists to succeed it.
The destruction of Hamas would be a military victory for Israel, but it would not be the victory Israel and the rest of the Middle East need.
The goal, as always, should be peace — and not the peace of lifeless rubble.
Bjnemp (anonymous) says...
"The goal, as always, should be peace — and not the peace of lifeless rubble."
True. However, when hostile forces attack your sovereign space and kill your citizens, as Hamas has been continually doing in Israel, and the Japanese did to us at Pearl Harbor, victory by negotiation or concession is not an option.
Israel is doing what it was forced by Hamas to do. In 1945 we did what we had to do when we dropped Atomic bombs on Nagasaki and Hiroshima, Japan. Our actions may have created a "peace of lifeless rubble", but it was a conclusive and lasting peace that saved far more lives in the long run than it destroyed.
War is always a tragic event, but having your country destroyed and your innocent citizens killed by a foreign entity is far more tragic. When attacked, respond with extreme prejudice and intent to end hostilities quickly, with finality, and on your terms. Winning a war by sheer numbers of body count, as barbaric as it may seem, beats the hell out of losing a war in the same manner.
What Israel is doing in Gaza is tragic, but it is justified.
January 5, 2009 at 5:23 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
Just another example of RELIGION causing death and destruction. Isn't that what this whole thing is about?
What has every major world conflict been caused by? Bash me if you want but at least it will be verbal and not explosive.
Steve
January 5, 2009 at 8:54 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
grjr51394 (anonymous) says...
I agree with Bjnemp. But is this not what the US did to Iraq? They never attacked us yet we attacked them. Were they not a sovereign nation? So are we not just as guilty as the Japanese?
January 5, 2009 at 9:15 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
oh4theluvof (anonymous) says...
Well, rbow, it depends on what you mean by "religion." If you mean man-made values that certain groups of people cling to with such fervor that they are willing to kill out of hate, then yes. However, if you are implicating God's presence in the world, I would have to respectfully dispute your claim and say that it is rather the absence of God in the hard hearts of humans that this is all about. The original land disputes go back to a birthright issue between Abraham's two sons--one legitimate (Isaac), and one illegitimate (Ishmael). A lack of faith led to the birth of the illegitimate son rather than a presence of faith. I respect your views on freedom and have to propose that if it weren't for the freedom that God gives those who believe, none of the world would have a reference point on what freedom truly is. At the same time, I will readily agree that a variety of beliefs-some even using the name of God-have been used to justify atrocities (the Crusades, for example)but if we truly know the character of God, we can know if His name is being used under false pretenses or not.
January 5, 2009 at 9:46 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
momus (anonymous) says...
One major problem with Gaza in particular is the fact that the rest of the world continues to try and judge the conflict through a western lens with human life as the over riding value in any confined conflict. Hamas will continue to attack Israel because they want to wipe the Jewish state off the map per their belief that the pre 1960 land of Palestine will always be theirs. Israel believes that God gave them the land of Israel and the land is theirs. The value here is land, not life. If both parties were to enter an agreement where by aggressive actions resulted in the loss off territory, this conflict would settle down quickly. And, you may even see the Palestinian people trying to reign in those psychos masquerading as freedom fighters. But, right now neither party seems too concerned with the human toll this conflict continues to exact.
Lets also remember that several surrounding states have a longstanding vested interest in a continued Palestinian "issue". It's easy to deflect criticism of your own archaic governmental practices when you focus attention on an "atrocity" just down the road. Thus, weapons, money and expertise will continue to flow into this powder keg, acting as the occasional spark. Until we change our expectations in regards to how we actually resolve this conflict (when it’s clear some never want resolution) we will be left with a festering status quo.
January 5, 2009 at 11:05 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
seriouslyfolks (anonymous) says...
rbow
What religion caused WW1,WW2,Vietnam,Korea,The Civil War, Sadam's invasion of Kawait our invasion of Iraq, Somalia................?
Religion was probably a part of these only in the fact that religion is part of humanity. If you despise religion you will twist things however you want to be able to blame everything on it. We can't blame it on greed or power cuz those might hit to close to home. Who doesn't like money and power! Anybody that thinks there would be world peace if religion didn't exist is delusional at best. Do gang bangers kill each other over their deep religious convictions? Did the communists in Asia(think Pol Pot) war and kill because of their religion? No those communists didn't allow religion so that couldn't have been the reason. Che Guevara was anti-religion like yourself and made it his life mission to start wars in countries so the poor could take over and spread Marxism.
So what am I saying? Well you have the right to believe what you want but your wrong in this case.
January 6, 2009 at 12:20 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
josiesbar (anonymous) says...
If terrorists were launching missiles into California from Mexico, or into Florida from Cuba, how long do you think it would take us to stop them via USMC?
I heard a Palestinian supporter at a rally on the news the other day say, "ohh, its only a few missiles..." I had a good laugh out of that one. I can hear some Israel supporter now "ohh, its only a few bombs and artillery rounds..." hahaha
I also heard on the news where Israel was actually calling civilians in areas that were to be bombed. After answering a phone call like that, I would think we would look at telemarketers in a whole new light, haha.
January 6, 2009 at 10:58 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
josiesbar (anonymous) says...
I bet the conversation goes like this:
Palestinian: Hello?
Isael: Hello! Please stay on the line for a very important message from Israel! We want to inform you that not only can you raise your credit score, you are ALSO going to be bombed today! For information on how to raise your credit score, press 1. For information about you being bombed, press 2!
January 6, 2009 at 11:06 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
USNretired (anonymous) says...
Nuke em till they glow and shoot em in the dark.
January 6, 2009 at 7:09 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
oh4theluvof (anonymous) says...
I really appreciate reading an editorial on this that acknowledges that Israel is not in the wrong to defend themselves. Josies additional comment about Israel attempting to warn "innocents" gives me an even higher respect for how Israel is going about defending themselves. Don't we wish the airlines or the Twin Towers had received such a call...............
I know not everyone reading this has a Biblical worldview, but it is Israel's land, restored to them by God in 1948. However, all these land disputes have existed ever since it's original occupancy by the Jewish nation. Some would say that it was restored by the league of Nations, the UN and Israel's declaration of independence rather than by God, but it is rather amazing that a small race of people that much of the world has attempted to exterminate for many centuries with no real reason has been preserved, migrated back together, and have successfully held their own in the subsequent wars. Even more amazing is how it all matches God's promises in the Bible. Sadly, though, we are warned that a day will come when no other nations will defend Israel and when that day comes, the role God played in it all will be made VERY clear.
January 6, 2009 at 9:31 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
admireed (anonymous) says...
USN...Amen!
January 6, 2009 at 9:38 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
I too agree that Israel has a right to defend herself. As positions of those two countries have continued to harden worse than ever before, however, there seems little liklihood that peace is part of the picture.
I found two things quite interesting as I watched a report this morning. One, some of the rocket cannisters that have been captured are made in China. Of course, they'd deny that, but still, they need to be charged with some kind of international crime.
Two, many Egyptians are making as much as $50 thousand a month smuggling goods into Palestine via a system of HUNDREDS of tunnels. In addition to washing machines and diapers, those goods include raw materials for rockets. Egyptians need to be charged as well because they, like China, are party to the conflict for allowing their citizens to smuggle the makings of rockets.
The big question is not only how to stop the smuggling, but the more difficult job will be stopping anti-semitic sentiment. Hate speech on Palestinian TV and radio is urging the killing of all Jews. Unbelievable. I'm afraid that if this goes on, that oh4theluvof is correct, and God's plan will be the real "final solution."
January 7, 2009 at 7:14 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
open_eyes (anonymous) says...
Has anyone watched the movie "Where In The World Is Osama Bin Laden?" It was sort of an ironic comedy in a way, but I think rather insightful. Most Palestinians couldn't care less about Bin Laden and Al Queda, and they made a good point - with all the wealth & resources available to the terrorists & organizations, if they truly cared about the Palestinians they could shower them with money and help alleviate the poverty situation there.
Just trying to make the point that, although radical Muslims like to use the Pal/Israel issue as justification for their crimes, and US support of Israel as an excuse to hate us, in reality they could care less. If Palestine & Israel kiss & make up tomorrow and live in total harmony they will change to another excuse. The 2 really have very little to do with each other, despite what they would like us to believe.
January 7, 2009 at 9:40 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )