The Violence Continues in Gaza
With a Palestinian death toll nearing 800 -- with perhaps half that number being non-combatants, including children, with reports of Israeli forces firing on UN schools and convoys, and with no independent journalists let inside, we are left wondering what is happening and when it will end.
The UN has called for a ceasefire, and at least this time the US abstained, which is an improvement. But, neither the Israelis nor Hamas has any interest in observing this call by the UN. It simply doesn't serve their purpose!
The reason there is no end in sight is due to two things -- one is the Israeli demand that rocket launches be ceased and the Hamas demand that the borders be opened. Israel won't open the borders, because to do so would legitimate Hamas. Hamas has no reason to stop the rockets if its legitimacy won't be accepted.
The likely scenario is this will continue as long as its politically expedient. That is, they is going to continue as long as it assists the Israeli political process and up to the point of the Presidential inauguration. As for Hamas, they will push the limits as far as they can, but in the end, they will stop -- at least for a time.
One of the commentators, I believe it was Bob Simon on Charlie Rose, said that the two sides are playing to different audiences. Hamas is playing to the Arab street that is frustrated with the status quo at home and abroad, and the Israeli's are playing to the West -- specifically America.
It's time for America and the Arab governments to say -- enough is enough!
As they used to say, Let's give peace a chance!
The UN has called for a ceasefire, and at least this time the US abstained, which is an improvement. But, neither the Israelis nor Hamas has any interest in observing this call by the UN. It simply doesn't serve their purpose!
The reason there is no end in sight is due to two things -- one is the Israeli demand that rocket launches be ceased and the Hamas demand that the borders be opened. Israel won't open the borders, because to do so would legitimate Hamas. Hamas has no reason to stop the rockets if its legitimacy won't be accepted.
The likely scenario is this will continue as long as its politically expedient. That is, they is going to continue as long as it assists the Israeli political process and up to the point of the Presidential inauguration. As for Hamas, they will push the limits as far as they can, but in the end, they will stop -- at least for a time.
One of the commentators, I believe it was Bob Simon on Charlie Rose, said that the two sides are playing to different audiences. Hamas is playing to the Arab street that is frustrated with the status quo at home and abroad, and the Israeli's are playing to the West -- specifically America.
It's time for America and the Arab governments to say -- enough is enough!
As they used to say, Let's give peace a chance!
Comments
Whatever Israel decides is fine with me. If they want to go for a cease fire, fine. If they want to continue to attack their attackers, that's fine too. What is not fine with me is that the UN, or the Arabs dictate what Israel does.