Hamas’s desire to best Hezbollah’s achievements is natural, of course, but, more to the point, it is radicalizing. One of the reasons, among many, that Hamas felt compelled to break its cease-fire with Israel last month was to prove its potency to Muslims impressed with Hezbollah. Full Story »
Posted by Kaizar Campwala
Well presented and well argued, lots of first-hand opinions through reported conversations. But several key pieces are missing, most notably the Israeli government's ceaseless stranglehold on the Occupied Territories, and the continuing, crushing deprivation, degradation and destruction Palestinians have suffered under the Israeli government's claims of self-defense. Goldberg leaves out the evident intention by the government of Israel to eradicate Palestinians for "national security," and their attack on Gaza is the newest phase of their "ethnic cleansing." How secure will that make Israel? Who will cajole Israel's government into moderation?
There is a fixed idea among some Israeli leaders that Hamas can be bombed into moderation. This is a false and dangerous notion. It is true that Hamas can be deterred militarily for a time, but tanks cannot defeat deeply felt belief. The reverse is also true: Hamas cannot be cajoled into moderation. Neither position credits Hamas with sincerity, or seriousness. The only small chance for peace today is the same chance that existed before the Gaza invasion: The moderate Arab states, Europe, the United States and, mainly, Israel, must help Hamas’s enemy, Fatah, prepare the West Bank for real freedom, and then hope that the people of Gaza, vast numbers of whom are unsympathetic to Hamas, see the West Bank as an alternative to the squalid vision of Hassan Nasrallah and Nizar Rayyan.
So Goldberg advocates “peace” through another civil war? He does not acknowledge or address the realities of life under occupation, and the deprivation and suffering of captive Palestinian civilians who are denied even fundamental human rights, and cannot leave. He also does not address the Israeli “settlers” who have conducted a non-stop reign of terror against Palestinians in the Occupied Territories under Israeli control since 1967. Also ignored is the current Israeli assault on Gaza that seems to be bent on annihilating all Palestinians in Gaza and anyone foolish enough—like the UN—to try to provide humanitarian assistance and relief. Hamas had some respect among Gazans because Hamas provided desperately needed services of basic government: sewer systems, water, electricity, medical facilities, schools…while Fatah became legendary for corruption and self-interest, and the Palestinian people continued to suffer. In an honest democracy—isn’t that what we stand for?—the people are allowed to make their own decisions, freely and fairly. I do not believe it is up to Goldebergs usual suspects to impose “democracy” on Palestinians by inciting further destruction.
I'm always intrigued by analyses that report on war like a chess match. Indeed, that is how the principals in these cases seem to base their decisons most of the time: ego to ego, pride to pride, without regard for the people they allegedly serve. Haven't we had enough of that already?