Another dreadful week is underway in Palestine in a rapid sequence of events.
Amid ongoing rocket attacks by Israel, Hamas has emerged from vicious factional fighting to take control of Gaza. Fatah leader and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas responded by dissolving the recently formed Palestinian unity government and naming a secular prime minister for the new "emergency government". It will control the West Bank, where Fatah is still the more powerful group.
Meantime, Israel has hinted at releasing millions in tax revenues to the new government, which have been withheld since Hamas were elected and even after they joined with Fatah. There is also talk of ending the international siege on the Fatah-controlled West Bank. Both events are occurring under the continued campaign of strengthening Abbas and Fatah and turning Palestinians against Hamas.
An Israeli minister has called for even more action against Hamas. Benjamin Ben-Eliezer advocates targeting the entire Hamas organization, including members of the government. He said: "We have to put them all in the cross-hairs".
Israel has been pounding Hamas positions in Gaza with air strikes for over a week, and rockets are continuing to fall. With Hamas now in charge, Israel's Prime Minister Ehud Olmert is coming under pressure to re-occupy the strip.
Whether they like it or not, Israelis should realize that, every air strike and assassination in Gaza and the West Bank, hardens Palestinian resolve.
Even though Palestinians are under occupation, as well as impoverished, restricted, suffering humiliation and under fear of Israeli bombs and snipers, there will always be Palestinian resistance movements, and they will always have popular support. Israel has been launching air strikes and carrying out assassinations for decades, and Israelis in towns near Gaza are in more danger than they ever have been from the increasing rocket attacks.
The only way Israel can kill Palestinian resistance is to actively seek out a way to end the occupation, return the land gained in 1967 or its equivalent, and find a solution to the refugee issue that can be accepted by both sides.
Article comments
— go to most recent comments1 - moonraven
It is abundantly clear that the LAST thing the Israelis want is peace.
2 - zingzing
aww, shit. i agree with moonraven. both sides in this conflict need to just settle down. they are like children i say. children with guns and bombs and rockets and a deathwish and fanatical religious belief. scary mixture, all that.
3 - Ruvy in Jerusalem
Peace, Liam? Peace is bullshit. At least the peace you keep talking about. No, we do not need peace at all. We need victory. The Arabs have to suffer so badly from war that they will beg for peace. If they don't beg for peace - well, then they will have made their own beds: and they'll die in them.
4 - zingzing
you sound like an islamic terrorist when you say that, ruvy. and you should know, after 40 years of the same old bullshit, that fighting is getting you nowhere.
just learn to live with each other like all the other little people do. we know you can work it out!
5 - Zedd
Liam
Good article.
What is problematic in the situation is that the enmity is not based on philosophical and political differences. The conflict now exists because of a hatred of one another.
There is no real reason for this conflict to be going on. Both sides exaggerate the "evilness" of the other side. Both sides are unforgiving and the Palestinian people continue to suffer.
I also sense that Israel doesn't have an identity outside of war. Once there is a real peace, who does Israel become? The Palestinians will have a new nation, the rest of the Arab states have ancient histories, Israel will be (?). Will they play a role on the world stage in economics? Will they receive the billions from the rest of the world? They will simply be a country among many in the middle east. I suppose the biblical sites will keep them afloat in as far as international significance but other than that, who will care?
They are like a person who got a lot of attention because of an illness who then doesn't want to let go of that attention and becomes a hypochondriac to the annoyance of everyone around him.
6 - zingzing
"They are like a person who got a lot of attention because of an illness who then doesn't want to let go of that attention and becomes a hypochondriac to the annoyance of everyone around him."
damn.
7 - sr
moonbean#1. No wonder your called moonbat. Of course Israel wants to make war. It's more fun for them then peace any day of the week. They just love the suicide bombers blowing up their people while rocket's rain down on them. What a fool you are.
8 - troll
*Come let us go up the mountain of the Lord, that we may walk the paths of the Most High.
And we shall beat our swords into ploughshares, and our spears into pruning hooks.
Nation shall not lift up sword against nation--neither shall they learn war any more.
And none shall be afraid, for the mouth of the Lord of Hosts has spoken.*
...just a thought
9 - Ruvy in Jerusalem
Troll,
I had hoped to bring about that day early with my own efforts, along with those of others. But history overtook me, or I did not do enough. In either event, the prophecy you quote from Isaiah WILL occur - only after a bloodbath and purification.
Sorry, dude.
10 - troll
Ruvy - your God is perfectly capable of handling the purification as He sees fit
you as a Jew need to keep your eye on the prize and your job - 'fixing the world' and thus bringing the 'end of history' not through blowing your enemies up but rather through ritual and prayer
...but that's just the opinion of this semi Semite
11 - Ruvy in Jerusalem
"THE STATE OF ISRAEL is prepared to cooperate with the agencies and representatives of the United Nations in implementing the resolution of the General Assembly of the 29th November, 1947, and will take steps to bring about the economic union of the whole of Eretz-Israel.
WE APPEAL to the United Nations to assist the Jewish people in the building-up of its State and to receive the State of Israel into the comity of nations.
WE APPEAL - in the very midst of the onslaught launched against us now for months - to the Arab inhabitants of the State of Israel to preserve peace and participate in the upbuilding of the State on the basis of full and equal citizenship and due representation in all its provisional and permanent institutions.
WE EXTEND our hand to all neighbouring states and their peoples in an offer of peace and good neighbourliness, and appeal to them to establish bonds of cooperation and mutual help with the sovereign Jewish people settled in its own land. The State of Israel is prepared to do its share in a common effort for the advancement of the entire Middle East."
The above is from the Dewclaration of Independence of the State of Israel. Pay attention dimwits!! This country has EXTENDED its "hand to all neighbouring states and their peoples in an offer of peace and good neighbourliness," - only to have that offer of peace spurned and spit at - and to have her people massacred and attacked time and again by terrorists after a cease fire was arranged in 1949.
THE ARABS HAVE WANTED WAR FOR ALL THIS TIME! LET THEM HAVE THEIR WISH! LET THEM DIE, EXTERMINATED AS THEY DESIRE US TO BE; LET THEM STARVE AND FLEE AND BEG, AS THEY WOULD HAVE US DO! IF THERE MUST BE A BLOODBATH, LET THERE BE A BLOODBATH. BUT LET'S BE RID OF THE BASTARDS - FROM THE LIBYAN DESERT TO THE PERSIAN GULF.
If the stinking camel fuckers want peace,. let them bend over and make the concessions, let them come on their hands and knees and beg!
Then we can think about reconciliation.
12 - moonraven
sr:
Obviously you are less than 12 years old or you would REMEMBER that all Israel has done in the last 60 years since statehood is MAKE WAR.
Before that the Zionist terrorists just killed their neighbors.
Great guys. I am sure glad they aren't MY neighbors.
I am called moonbat by uneducated zitfaces like you. Pray they give you a GED.
13 - SFC SKI
"Hamas' charter calls for the destruction of Israel, ... Israel has been blinded to peace by its desire to destroy Hamas. "
Am I missing something here? What makes anyone think that an organization that calls for the destruction of another, and goes to great lenghts to carry it out can be negotiated with?
14 - Ruvy in Jerusalem
"...you would REMEMBER that all Israel has done in the last 60 years since statehood is MAKE WAR."
Just like a woman to ignore the facts so she can blather her a opinions about as though they WERE facts. Marthe, I USED TO be married to someone like you. Note the tense in that sentence. Divorce has been good for me...
The only way you'd be a good neighbor would be if you WERE convinced that I was a terrorist.
15 - zingzing
ruvy--you sound exactly like a terrorist. ahem, from you rant: "LET THEM DIE, EXTERMINATED AS THEY DESIRE US TO BE; LET THEM STARVE AND FLEE AND BEG, AS THEY WOULD HAVE US DO! IF THERE MUST BE A BLOODBATH, LET THERE BE A BLOODBATH. BUT LET'S BE RID OF THE BASTARDS - FROM THE LIBYAN DESERT TO THE PERSIAN GULF."
if you hadn't written that, you could easily assume that was an arab talking about a jew. but no! it was this god-filled (and fucked) old man in israel who is quite willing to see his fucking country go down the shitter and his two sons sucked up into this war within a few years, probably to be shot dead in the street for their old fucking man's god. and country! don't forget nazi-like nationalism! go ruvy!
you seriously need to figure out what went wrong in your skull.
16 - Ruvy in Jerusalem
What's wrong with my skull, zingzing? Did you look at the first part of the comment at all? The State of Israel began its existence with a statement practically begging for peace. Extending the hand to achieve peace, taking risks for peace, etc. etc., etc., just hasn't worked at all.
So, I outlined the alternative - death to the damned murderers of my people in the Middle East.
Remember, zingzing, I also have a little list - but that's on a different thread...
17 - zingzing
nothing wrong "with" your skull, ruvy--"IN" your skull. meaning your brain.
israel gives lip service to peace. yet as soon as some militant lobs a couple of missiles in your direction, israel bombards whole neighborhoods. they can't turn the other cheek. i know you don't want them to. but i do. i want to see someone rise up in that neck of the woods and show a little guts. palestine hides behind terrorism, while israel hides behind u.s.-supplied weaponry. yer all a bunch of pussies.
"So, I outlined the alternative - death to the damned murderers of my people in the Middle East."
yep--muslims are killing your people. because you killed their's. because they kill your's. because you killed their's, etc, etc, etc. it's blatantly obvious that no one wants to stop. you can't stop because they won't and they can't stop because you won't. both of you stop. there you go. it's really like two little brats in the back seat of a car hitting each other, always wanting the last hit. mother is the rest of the world, telling you that you won't be going to the fucking candy store if you don't cut it out. so cut it out. you want candy.
"Remember, zingzing, I also have a little list - but that's on a different thread..."
fine, ruvy.
18 - Liam Bailey
SFC SKI
What great lengths have Hamas gone to to destroy Israel? What actions could Hamas take to destroy Israel...
Would 100000 suicide attacks destroy all of Israel? No, and it would take hamas hundreds of years to successfully break through Israel's border check-points to make that many attacks. By the time each suicide attack happened Israel had repaired the damage from the last, and the rockets are just metal fireworks. Therefore, Hamas can not destory Israel, and though it has attacked Israel it is foolish to think that Hamas is trying to, or believes they ever could destory Israel, so their charter is irrelevant.
Now, another question. Could Israel destory gaza and the West Bank? Of course it could, obviously launching its nuclear arsenal would do the job but not without contaminating its own population. But it could do a pretty good job with its artillery and air-force using only conventional weapons, not to mention cruise missiles.
19 - troll
it's just like Bob Marley said: we're all God's children...and therein lies the problem as He is an adolescent and petulant deity with little regard for human life
20 - troll
Ruvy asks - *What's wrong with my skull, zingzing?* and makes it too easy...
sorry - couldn't resist
21 - moonraven
ruvy--I USED to be married (divorced him in 1978) to someone as rigid as you.
He's dead now, and I am able to create mischief all around the globe thanks at least in part to his pension.
There's a message there, if your skull is not too thick to let it enter....
22 - SFC SKI
# 18, Whether or not HAMAS could destroy Israel as a location, is not immaterial, they will continue to try, and every Israeli they kill encourages them. Damage can be repaired, but the lives lost to suicide bombers cannot be replaced. HAMAS defines the destruction of Israel as the removal of every Israeli from Palestinian soil, from Jordan to the Mediterranean, not just renaming a geographical area. The rockets, BTW, are not just fireworks, the shrapnel they produce can kill, and quite frankly, beyond under an artillery attack is pretty terrifying.
When will world opinion put more of the Palestinians' situation on the Palestinians themselves? The Palestinians elected HAMAS in Gaza, looks like it doesn't want to play with FATAH anymore.
It's more than than that, the rare moderate Palestinian in Gaza or the West Bank who suggests that armed opposition hasn't really brought the Palestinians much success, or who criticizes HAMAS or FATAH, is usually found brutally murdered, if found at all.
23 - Ruvy in Jerusalem
zing,
If the Arabs put down their guns, there will be no war. If we put down our guns there will be no Israel.
I intend to live. A Jew invented someone who could not be killed by bullets (Superman) - but we are not comic strip characters. Since Arab bombs and bullets do kill us, we better shoot back if we intend to live.
You assholes nail this country to a cross every fucking day - Israel is your new Jesus and you have to go and kill him - ALL OVER AGAIN. You goyim haven't learned one damned thing in 2,000 years, have you? But individually, zing, we did not sign up to be your messiahs. Find someone else to nail to your damned crosses.
I follow the Talmud, zing.
"If someone raises his hand to bless you, bless him first; if he raises his hand to kill you, kill him first."
24 - Ruvy in Jerusalem
"Ruvy--I USED to be married (divorced him in 1978) to someone as rigid as you."
Marthe,
If this guy was as rigid as me, he must have been awful flexible with most things, but tight with money (when you live on the street for a year, you learn frugality).
Consider yourself lucky to be enjoying HIS pension.
I sense that whatever type of fellow I am, I'm nothing like your ex. First of all, YOU would not be enjoying my pension while my body rotted in the grave. The kids of the marriage would...
But let's not get into a domestic spat in public. It's just not good manners...
25 - zingzing
ruvy: "You assholes nail this country to a cross every fucking day - Israel is your new Jesus and you have to go and kill him - ALL OVER AGAIN."
i ain't christian. so don't give me christian metaphors. we're really nailing you to the cross, eh? is that what all that military and monetary support means to you? i'm just saying you're as guilty as the rest of them.
"You goyim haven't learned one damned thing in 2,000 years, have you?"
i wasn't around 2,000 years ago, and neither do "goyims" have some collective intelligence or anything, nor do i give a fuck, individually or as a group, about jews in general. they're just people to me. ISRAELIS, on the other hand, are guilty of perpetuating a meaningless and unending war right along with their palestinian friends. you people are all the same, in that you are like little children. if anyone has something to learn from history, it's israel and palestine. how fun is it to run in circles? looks pretty fucking exciting from here.
"But individually, zing, we did not sign up to be your messiahs. Find someone else to nail to your damned crosses."
i don't have a cross. or nails. so fuck off with that bullshit.
"I follow the Talmud, zing.[:] "If someone raises his hand to bless you, bless him first; if he raises his hand to kill you, kill him first.""
sounds kind of like the koran, eh? religion is violence. keep it in mind.
"If the Arabs put down their guns, there will be no war. If we put down our guns there will be no Israel."
that's what you'd like to believe. that's what you are forced to believe, even if it could be turned right around. what do you think that the arabs think? that's right.