Peace on Earth, Goodwill to All Men (Except in Gaza)

Five days ago, after the cessation of the truce between the Israeli Government and Hamas, Enduring America wrote:

There will be a series of bombings and targeted assassinations as the rocket attacks continue. In effect, this is a situation of deadly stalemate.

And so it goes, as Kurt Vonnegut would say. After an increase in rockets into Southern Israel, the Israeli Defense Force swung the heavy fist this morning. More than 30 missiles have killed more than 150 people so far.



We mention our prediction not to brag but to point out the near-inevitability that "the cycle of violence", that over-used but over-appropriate phrase, was going to spiral. Groups in Gaza, either directly responsible to Hamas or independent of the Gazan Government, were going to increase the firing of rockets and missiles. That scatter-gun attack, sooner or later, was going to kill an Israeli, and when it did, both the pretext and the political necessity would be established for a large-scale response from Tel Aviv. (Doubly so, when the current Foreign Minister, Tzipi Livni, is locked in a tense struggle with Benyamin Netanyahu to become Prime Minister.)

And so earlier this week "Israel's cabinet approved a possible operation that could last several days". There were the near-obligatory visits by Israeli officials, including Livni, and Hamas leaders to Egypt playing the near-obligatory role of mediator for a renewed ceasefire. It was clear, however, from the statements of Livni and Netanyahu that the Israeli hammer would have to fall, at least for a deadly, symbolic period.

That has now begun. Israel will count on a window of support from many in the "gatekeeping" media in the United States and Europe; Hamas, or at least the people of Gaza, will get the sympathy of media in the Middle East and the Islamic world. Precious little will be done to ratchet down the violence as it plays out for a necessary period for both Hamas to maintain its authority in Gaza (which it will) and for key Israeli politicans --- with Livni and Netanyahu scrambling to show which one of them is tougher --- and the Israeli military to show that they are not "weak". (Doubly so, after the Lebanon debacle of 2006)

All this will be propped up by the human cost --- in damage and a handful of deaths on the Israeli side of the border, in damage and dozens if not hundreds of death on the Gazan side. The causes of this latest conflict will be set aside because, with eye-catching images of destruction, who needs to seriously consider the strategy of political isolation and economic blockade that pretty much ensured this would happen?

There is a wrinkle in this normal pattern of events, which could occur over days, possibly over weeks. Normally the US Government would have to --- reluctantly, in the case of the Bush Administration --- make some noise about trying to restore stability while allowing Israel a "decent" period of time to assert military strength.

This time, however, Washington is in transition to President Obama. He has offered the platitude that "seeing if we can build on some of the progress, at least in conversation, that's been made around the Israeli-Palestinian conflict will be a priority". If this fighting carries on until Inauguration Day, however, the 44th President won't be dealing with platitudes but with a foreign-policy choice foisted upon him. Does he --- in the name of "American leadership" --- put Israel-Palestine at the top of his problem-solving agenda or does he take a step aside, allowing others to make the running both as warriors and as peacemakers?

Happy Holidays, everybody....

Comments

[Mo]

The apartheid and racist Israeli regime and the governments of the so called free world have once again shown their contempt towards Palestinian men, women, and children. Happy Holidays, everybody...

[Dave]

Mo,

The Jewish state is aparthied and racist? The vast majority of Muslim states are not free states. Minority groups face constant persecution and many are put to death. Large numbers of Christians have been murdered in Sudan. Not one church or synagogue is even allowed in Saudi Arabia.

[Mo]

The apartheid and racist Israeli regime and the governments of the so called free world have once again shown their contempt towards Palestinian men, women, and children. It would be good if everyone could watch the real footage showing how the majority of the victims are civilians and how children are running around screaming in terror. To bad you’re not allowed to watch Almanar TV in the free world.

Most people in the Middle East don’t believe peace is possible with a people who believe that God has chosen them over all others, allowing them to kill, expel, oppress, and confiscate. Advocating non-violence is easy for those who are safe and secure, not for those who because of the western backed siege aren’t even allowed to purchace food and medicine for their sick and hungry children in refugee camps that look a lot like concentration camps.

[Mo]

The vast majority of Muslim states are not free states, because the US and the EU are backing the despots who are in power.

Since there is no church or synagogue in Saudi Arabia, can Zionism and apartheid be justified and Palestinians slaughtered? That is the sort of logic Israel, the US, and Al-Qaeda use. Can one say that since the US and UK governments support the racist Israeli regime, civilians can be killed in London and New York? I'm sure you don't accept that sort of 'logic', but that is how criminal actions, like what we are witnessing in Gazza today, are justified by Israel, the US, and Al-Qaeda.

[Dave]

Most people in the Middle East don’t believe peace is possible with a people who believe that God has chosen them over all others
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Jews think that in the West and they live peacefully among the rest of us. The Western world accepts them. The Arab/Muslim world rejects them.

[M.S.]

IT IS NOT A TIME TO ARGUE ON RELIGION, FREEDOM, ETC. THE ETHICS OF HUMANITY ARE UNDER QUESTION NOW. CAN A HUMAN BEING HEAR OF WHAT IS HAPPENING IN GAZA AND NOT BECOME FULL OF SORROW?

[O.M.]

This is the new year gift from Israel to palestinians. I hope the fireworks entertain the Israeli cabinet as they toast the coming of 2009. I'm sure Olmert is confident that the new year will bring peace and security for Palestinians. If not, he'll send them another gift to remind them of his benign intentions.