RubySoho
Winston
David: 8, Goliath: 0 Three Cheers For Israel. Hip Hip Hooray!
April 14th 2008 03:17
In an extraordinary feat of courage and bravery, the modern day David, otherwise known as the ‘oh woe is me’ State of Israel has once again punched above its puny weight by inflicting a profound and audacious attack on a neighbouring territory, that colossal Goliath known as Gaza.
Armed only with tanks and machine guns David rolled into central Gaza in the dead of night exchanging fire with Palestinian militants who had the nerve to fight back against an army who was invading their territory.
Somehow, David once again defeated the odds and managed to kill at least eight Palestinians whilst not suffering a single casualty. “Who would’ve thought that the element of surprise coupled with tanks could protect us so well against sleeping Palestinian civilians?” An Israeli Defense Force spokesman postulated. “As you know, Israel is only defending herself against an enemy that wishes to drive her into the sea. Somehow, our tanks keep beating their stones. Honestly, can you believe it?’
The feats of the IDF are even more impressive when one considers that the Palestinians killed included two 12 year old boys, two 17 year old teenagers and one 19 year old youth. Oh David! How do you defend yourself against an enemy so brutal? How do you manage to kill eight people, mostly children, maim a dozen others and come out of it unscathed?
The latest incursion into Gaza was a revenge attack on a Palestinian raid on an Israeli fuel depot last week. That raid resulted in the deaths of seven Palestinians and two Israelis. Hamas claimed it was not involved in the raid. Islamic Jihad, a militant group not in any way affiliated with Hamas claimed full responsibility saying it had intended to seize two Israeli soldiers. Israel, however, chose to ignore this admission of guilt and blamed Hamas anyway. Speaking on Israeli radio Deputy Defense Minister Matan Vilnai claimed that Hamas "bears sole responsibility for what happens in the Gaza strip", meaning of course that no matter who the IDF kills and injuries in Gaza, it is actually the fault of Hamas. Of course. Israel warned that it would “settle the score at a time of its own choosing”.
That time was the early hours of Friday morning when most of Hamas-controlled Gaza was asleep. Who wouldn’t want to wake up to the sounds of tanks rolling through their neighbourhood? And what better way to show that David means business than by invading Gaza, fighting with militants who were not even responsible for the raid that provoked the attack and killing innocent children? After all, those Muslims are all the same aren’t they? Hamas, twelve year old boys, Islamic Jihad, Palestinian housewives, what’s the difference? They are all the enemy. They are all Goliaths who threaten the very existence of the Western world. So why not just kill ‘em all?
Reference: BBC News
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Comment by Jeff Musall
Secular Humanity
Comment by tlcorbin
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I find the bravado of the Hamas and Fatah groups self defeating and injurious to the people of Gaza. Why not hold them accountable for their part in keeping the region in constant turmoil.
Politics aside Ruby, better solutions can be found when the infrastructure in gaza is rebuilt and that won't happen while bombs, bullets, missals and body parts are flying.
In a relatively short period of time, the Gaza strip could once again be a worthy place to live, the US, Israel and the world would invest there, again, but only when the violence stops. Like it or not, Hamas and Fatah politics benefit from the violence, it keeps them in power.
You have a great mind Ruby, instead of venting and making sardonic posts, propose a solution. Who cares about right or wrong, justice or injustice when you're living in a garbage heap? And are kept there for nefarious reasons by your own leadership to draw attention to an obvious situation. The world isn't blind, wore out by the never ending posturing on both sides that fails to meet the needs of the innocents.
Where is that argument?
Raven
Comment by Winston
Small Thoughts on Big Questions
I will agree with Raven, however, that the leadership of Hamas, the PLO, etc. has made a consistent practice of derailing the peace process. They are acting out of their own political ideology and not in the best interests of the Palestinian people. They are the first line of accountability here, not Israel. Israel, in the meantime, never loses too much time hitting back and, since they have much larger sticks, it tends to be a lopsided fight. The question is, how much provocation should Israel (or any nation) endure before retaliating? I can't blame Israel for responding, although I would suggest that they are in dire need of better planning and coordination. They simply cannot afford to continue in killing innocent civilians and children. It displays a lack of concern that is truly troubling, and it undermines some of their credibility and standing in the global community.
I honestly find this issue nearly too frustrating to discuss, because it enflames people's emotions, and because the situation seems to exist in such a state of perpetuity as to render discussion pointless. I've given up thinking about what it might take to achieve peace there. I hope one day that my pessimism is proved unfounded, but so far so no good......
Comment by RubySoho
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Thought Zone
Yes, I will admit, I was in two minds about posting this article. And I nearly deleted it within an hour of posting. But if you read it and the BBC reports I linked to, you will see that Hamas was not actually responsible for the attack on the Israeli fuel depot which provoked Israel's latest incursion into Gaza. That's what I find unconscionable on Israel's part. They just hit back on Palestinians, any Palestinians, for revenge. In my mind that makes them worse than Islamic Jihad (who admitted to the initial attack) for two reasons:
1. Their response was disproportionate.
2. As a so-called liberal democracy, I hold them to a higher standard. When they fail to live up to the standard, in my mind they have disgraced themselves far more than the terrorists who they claim to be so superior to. As horrific as terrorism is, when a democratic country who is bound by international law targets civilians, it is unforgivable.
Now we have two dead twelve year old boys. Is it safe to say that there is going to be at least one member of their families who is going to want his own revenge?
In spite of you may think, I do believe in Israel's right to exist. i just don't think Israel is as serious about wanting peace as it claims to be.
Comment by RubySoho
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Winston: Personally, I don't think there will ever peace there. The hatred and desire for revenge just runs too deep now, on both sides.
But Israel is not just reacting as you and Raven claim. It deliberately provokes the Palestinians by continuing to build settlements in the Occupied Territories which are illegal and by periodically cutting off power and supplies to Gaza, which makes the living conditions there intolerable.
Even as we speak Israel is denying the UN access to Gaza. Why? What is it afraid that the UN is going to discover?
Comment by tlcorbin
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Sometimes I honestly believe the land to be cursed by the generations of hateful warring that has occurred in the name of pride, revenge, service to god, and honor. It is absolutely baffling to the rest of the world affected by the violence or trapped into viewing it on the news day after painful day. Which can only hint at the misery suffered by the innocents.
I agree, pin point strikes (Israel) and displays of bravado (Hamas and Fatah) are still contributing to the killing of innocents, both sides over react and share in the guilt. Is one party more guilty than another? Guilt can't be measured in degrees: the wounded or dead aren't gaged wounded or dead by degrees- guilty is what it is; party to a wrong or harm.
Raven
Comment by Jeff Musall
Secular Humanity
I am more optimistic...I think there will be peace there. What will it take? Another mandate like the one which created modern Israel in 1948. Jrerusalem will have to be an international city, there will have to be a Palestinian state, there will need to be a level of economic security, and most importantly - (and probably as a result of the others) fundamentalism needs to go away. When all religions are but quaint memories, peace will be easy to maintain. For even if leaders want to attack each other for riches or land, they won't be able to convince the masses to die for them.
Comment by RubySoho
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Because Jerusalem is home to the Wailing (Western) Wall and The Dome of the Rock, neither side will give it up. I've previously and only half jokingly said that the only way to achieve peace in the area is to evacuate Jerusalem and then demolish the place to smithereens. But strangely enough, nobody seems to like that idea. Wonder why? haha.
Comment by John Greenfield
The Palestinians voted freely and decisively for a Hamas government. When Gazastan fires rockets into israel, the people of Israel demand a response. If the Palestinian people want Hamas and others to stop firing rockets into israel that is there business. But while the Palestinian people CHOOSE not to, then they should expect the retaliation they receive.
Comment by RubySoho
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The point that I was trying to make here is that it was not Hamas who carried out the initial attack that provoked the Israeli response. Nor was it the fault of the Palestinians civilians who were killed.
But since Hamas are the elected representatives of the people of Gaza, then why won't Israel negotiate with them?