Tuesday
Jan272009
The Linking of Clenched Fists: Israel, Gaza, and Iran
Tuesday, January 27, 2009 at 14:05
Enduring America is proud to welcome our new blogger Ali Yenidunya. In this first entry, Ali juxtaposes the proposed blockade on arms to Gaza with the notion of a US engagement of Iran.
As the "unilateral ceasefires" continue in Gaza, the consequences pose more tensions than resolutions. While the Israeli Right under Benjamin Netanyahu has benefited in electoral terms, trying to capitalise on public support for the war, Israel has not achieved its objectives. Hamas could not be entirely destroyed; at least one-fifth of the tunnels are still useable; and Tehran is increasing its influence in Gaza by funding Hamas to rebuild Gaza City and the surrounding area.
Israel also faces the nightmare of the possibility of Iranian ships providing arms to Palestinians, as with the shipment of explosivees, rockets and arms to Palestinians in the Iranian cargo ship The Kharine A in 2002. Thus both Israeli and American naval forces are on alert, even against two Iranian destroyers sent to the Gulf of Aden on the pretext of fighting Somalian piracy.
With the intersection of Israel, Gaza, and Iran, it looks like clenched fists are not likely to be shaken before long-term, thorny negotiation processes. In the midst of the crisis in the Middle East, it is not realistic to expect Tehran to open its arms wide towards "Western values" unless the Iranian government can get some concessions from the Obama Administration.
As the "unilateral ceasefires" continue in Gaza, the consequences pose more tensions than resolutions. While the Israeli Right under Benjamin Netanyahu has benefited in electoral terms, trying to capitalise on public support for the war, Israel has not achieved its objectives. Hamas could not be entirely destroyed; at least one-fifth of the tunnels are still useable; and Tehran is increasing its influence in Gaza by funding Hamas to rebuild Gaza City and the surrounding area.
Israel also faces the nightmare of the possibility of Iranian ships providing arms to Palestinians, as with the shipment of explosivees, rockets and arms to Palestinians in the Iranian cargo ship The Kharine A in 2002. Thus both Israeli and American naval forces are on alert, even against two Iranian destroyers sent to the Gulf of Aden on the pretext of fighting Somalian piracy.
With the intersection of Israel, Gaza, and Iran, it looks like clenched fists are not likely to be shaken before long-term, thorny negotiation processes. In the midst of the crisis in the Middle East, it is not realistic to expect Tehran to open its arms wide towards "Western values" unless the Iranian government can get some concessions from the Obama Administration.