Israel & Gaza – If only it was this simple

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NOTE BEFORE YOU READ: In no way can I even scratch the surface of the complexities involved with the Palestinian and Israeli conflict. The points I raise below are only to ask questions and state opinions in some areas that interest me. What I have written is not a final opinion, rather it is to generate thoughts and discussion.

This latest increase in violence between Israel and Palestine sickens me. The fact that it is occurring is not surprising though. One element of this conflict that is bothering me is the folks calling supporters of the Palestinians anti-Semitic. I have no religious or family invested values relating to this dispute. I view it right now as a human conflict. Let me just say I do understand this is more than a simplistic disagreement. What I am getting at is when I purely look at the issue of a huge military deciding to react to a pretty ineffective assault from a country they virtually surround, only then do I put the other issues to the side for the moment. What bothers me is that some folks can’t understand that someone (AKA me) might not care about the religious background of a territory WHEN citizens, not even in the conflict, are getting killed by a sloppy military offensive. I believe the world has a hard time putting together a stronger voice against Israel’s current military tactics because of the history of the Jewish people. I think world leaders are incredibly worried about appearing not against the political and military policies of Israel, but against a Jewish state and therefore its people.

Israel is naive to believe that they can simply wipe out Hamas. If anything they are creating a group of people that will only be more united in their hatred of Israel. As a government Israel concerns me with their policies towards the Palestinians. Israel is a super power with the upper hand. They have a military built with sophisticated American technology. Surely they can be more diplomatic or more restrained in the way they interact with the Palestinians? For example if (and I’m not sure where I stand on this) they truly are just wanting to remove the Hamas leadership could they not be a little more accurate in there targeting? If a Suicide bomber can get into Israel every now and then, surely a few undercover specialty forces could do the same in the other direction. If Israel did not have the backing of the US Government and the “we’ll just watch” attitude of the rest of the world, their policies and actions would take a very different direction.

So where does this leave the current operation in Gaza? So far it appears the outcome will be a destroyed territory with poverty even worse that it has ever been. And keep in mind it already wasn’t that great. Extreme poverty and a depleted infrastructure does not make a happy population. No matter what rhetoric Israel uses they are not for the Palestinian citizen when they are killing them.
Currently we have a state that hates having to deal with a neighbouring territory and we have a territory that has a political leadership whose goal is to remove the Jewish state. Keep the wall and fight over where it should be moved from or too in international courts. A third party point of view could only be better. Close the border crossings into Israel and set up a system to stop the rockets. Surely Israel has the technology to intercept 99% of the rockets fired into their state? Some neighbours just don’t get along. Israel with their superior power and resources needs to initiate a halt to all interactions with Gaza and Hamas. When either side of the wall has a change in leadership or an interest to truly talk it will happen.

Gaza, and in turn Hamas, should make an effort to build a strong relationship with Egypt. The current relationship between Hamas and Israel clearly isn’t working so another direction needs to be looked at. Realize that the nature of Gaza’s physical surroundings demand that it maintain economic ties with at least one of its neighbours. I know this is easier said than done. What I am trying to bring forward is that the traditional idea of Israel and Gaza finding a solution may not be possible. Sometimes the traditional option is not an option at all. So look at the alternatives.

Not every country gets to be on top and the Palestinians need to realize this. In the same vein Israel, as the military supper power of the region, needs to realize that with that power comes responsibility. Their close ally, America, has not been the best role model of late but that is no excuse for abusing power. Israel, use those religious values you believe so strongly in, and show some restraint towards your neighbours. It takes two to fight.

Are any of the points I raised possible, without bringing in the religious element? On paper yes but when you throw these ideas back into the full mix the real possibility of a never ending conflict kicks in. Add in that as I am writing Israel’s ground troops are rolling into Gaza. Palestine is impoverished, cut off, angry, and has been for very long time. The current actions can only make this conflict worse. What does a small territory do when it is backed against the ocean with a hostile state invading and a neighbour that just watches? It does what it can when the rest of the world will do nothing, it fights. And those that don’t want to fight hide and pray they will make it to the next day. I truly hope Palestinians in Gaza will continue to exist and a hold my breath to see if anyone else in the world has the guts to tell Israel enough is enough.