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The conflict between Hamas and Israel escalates

by aquilon Sat Jan 3rd, 2009 at 04:50:00 PM EST

IDF troops are moving into Gaza, supported by artillery and air strikes. Unless Hamas quickly collapses, which seems unlikely, this stage of the operation by the Israeli military will inevitably bring more casualties among Palestinian civilians, radicalize public opinion in the Arab world, and make prospects of peace in the Middle East even more problematic. There is definitely a legitimate reason for Israel to make sure its southern cities and towns are protected from missiles. The question is if that will be the case in the long run. Diplomacy clearly failed in its efforts to work out a common set of goals that would bring all the parties together, and most recently to even renew the cease fire agreement between Israel and Hamas, which triggered the current conflict. Perhaps, the world was too busy trying to figure out its way out of the economic crisis, to pay much attention to that perennial hotspot?


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renew the cease fire agreement between Israel and Hamas, which triggered the current conflict.

Is that the latest and bestest excuse for Israel´s ongoing massacres, now?  

Of course, we have heard ´It´s all Hamas fault´ according to chickenshit EU, parroting 43´s spew.... We have also seen Sarkophagus negotiating with Livni, we just weren´t told if anyone was there to represent Gazans/Palestinians. We should be thankful it wasn´t bliar.  

Our knowledge has surpassed our wisdom. -Charu Saxena.

by metavision on Sat Jan 3rd, 2009 at 05:58:27 PM EST
I am afraid, it is hard to say who represents Palestinians now... with Fatah in the West Bank and Hamas in Gaza, claiming that the other side has betrayed the interests of the Palestinian people. The entire Arab world is divided on this tragic issue, with so called "moderate" governments trying to balance on the fence.
by aquilon (albaruthenia at gmail dot com) on Sat Jan 3rd, 2009 at 06:37:51 PM EST
[ Parent ]
"... who represents Palestinians now..."?

Ain't that just the pity of it all? Now, it is Israel who represents the interests of the Palestinians now.

Never underestimate their intelligence, always underestimate their knowledge.

Frank Delaney ~ Ireland

by siegestate (siegestate or beyondwarispeace.com) on Thu Jan 8th, 2009 at 08:35:57 AM EST
[ Parent ]
"Diplomacy clearly failed in its efforts to work out a common set of goals that would bring all the parties together, and most recently to even renew the cease fire agreement between Israel and Hamas, which triggered the current conflict."

Israel would not abide by ceasefire terms. See diary: The myth of hamas ceasefires not working...

by shergald on Sun Jan 4th, 2009 at 09:45:13 AM EST
J Street has issued a statement, showing itself to be much more critical of the Israeli government than most of the U.S. press, let alone the traditional Jewish lobbying groups.
We are pragmatists grounded in the real world and the lessons it teaches.  As such - and as avid supporters of Israel - we are asking whether the specific actions taken by Israel in Gaza actually do advance Israel's and America's interests.  In this case, J Street believes they do not.  We believe that the actions taken this week - disproportionate to the threat and escalatory in nature - will be seen, with time, as counterproductive.  They will further isolate Israel and the US internationally, deepen hatred among the Palestinian and Israel peoples, foment extremism throughout the Arab world and undercut the position of more moderate Arab regimes

[...]

J Street believes the only option at this point for Israel and the U.S. is to work urgently and immediately to achieve a ceasefire now that stops the violence, ends the rockets and eases the blockade of Gaza, rather than allowing a ground campaign to proceed.  Perhaps if similar calls had been made - and heeded - in the first week of the Lebanon War in 2006, much of the damage and loss in the conflict could have been avoided.

by gk (gk (gk quattro due due sette @gmail.com)) on Sun Jan 4th, 2009 at 03:02:32 PM EST


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