by Steve wrote:Arjan Dirkse wrote:
Of course trying to be a little more civilized is good. But is it possible? I am not any sort of military expert, but if we're saying Israel has a right to defend itself, is there any conceivable way they can do that without hurting Gaza's civilians, any way that wouldn't draw the condemnation from those people currently condemning it?
How about Israel gave a damn about the Palestinian civilian? Maybe allowed them food, shelter and medicine? And don't get sidetracked by the bombs that the civvies would smuggle in - yes that is a real issue and would need dealing with. But get the intention established that the Israelis cared about the Palestinians basic needs.
How long would Hamas last if the Israeli's stopped the theft of homes with the settlements, stuck by a past agreement and gave back what was stolen, and acknowledged the needs of Palestinians and worked to allow them to live peacefully in their own homes?
I know that won't atone for the homes already stolen. I know this alone would not be enough. But this alone would be evidence that the Isrealis were trying to find a way to live with the Palestinians, as opposed to saying "my way or the highway."
Meanwhile, what comparable gesture could the Palestinian civilians make to show they are willing to live with the Israeli's? I can't think of one. Turning in Hamas would be to turn away the folks who are striving to get them food and medicines sufficient to live in the face of the Israeli blockades.
Israel has the strength and the resources so it is up to Israel to fix.
Failing that it is up to the US to cut off funding to Israel until Israel gets off its arse. Or maybe the UN could just recognize Palestine as a sovereign nation.
There are plenty of options here. Plenty.
I agree that the Israelis should give up the West bank settlements. But...
The reality the Israelis live with is being surrounded by largely antisemitic nations that want to see them gone. The idea that by showing some goodwill everybody would be best friends with them is very wrong. Really, the moment Gaza voted for Hamas, people should have realized this meant shit was goign to hit the fan. The fact that they've built a few hospitals and trying to pose as humanitarians for the rest of the world doesn't mean we should fall for that scam.
The Palestinian people could take the initiative by stopping their support for a party that demands genocide. What if they adopted a pacifist policy, take the Gandhi route so to speak? They would have their Palestinian nation fairly quickly. If Israel adopted a pacifist policy they'd be gone.
And there are plenty of Israeli initiatives to try to help the Gazan civilians. But it's pretty damn impossible to lift the blockade if you want to deprive Hamas of the possibility to arm themselves.
