This is off topic, but if you have not seen this, please watch it. There are, no doubt, errors and misjudgements being made by both Hamas and Israel over Gaza, but nothing can justify the bombardment that is killing Palestinian children. Jon Snow's passion on this issue is powerful, persuasive and, in my opinion, entirely appropriate:
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When justice is denied, as with the continuing appropriation of Palestinian land, then people resort to other means. I admire the way Jon Snow will challenge the official line and vested interests, in a way that other do not. I hope the lack of ‘tax justice’ will not lead to to armed conflict and this sort of carnage but it does lead to immense suffering around the world, inflicted most heavily upon the poor.
Speaking as someone who is of Jewish origin (now a Quaker!). This situation has caused me great pain form many years. Israel as a country is both a success and a disaster. One must remember that Israel is not the unified monolith that it is often taken to be there are many strands of view and opinion (including orthodox groups that are anti-zionist and pro Palestinian rights! see: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zA5is7IcEqA).
Israel’s democracy is a potential strength but the peace movement there has been eroded and weakened by certain palestinian factions moving towards extremism which then creates the vicious circle. Of course, those that say the Israeli state is founded on terrorism are to some degree correct. There were pre-Israel jewish settlers settlers who worked for peace (like Joseph Abilea) and worked closely forging links with palestinian communities so it needn’t have ended up this way. tragically, the climax of 1500 years of anti-semitism known as the holocaust pushed the situation beyond any level rational discussion.
Jews and palestinians have lived together since the beginnings of Islam. What we have now is a war for resources and political power.
Simon Thanks for your useful and honest contribution.
Last year I went to a talk at Taunton Quaker meeting house. One of my groups i belong to hire a room there from time time and I see the range of people use it, ranging from Muslims to a transgender group. One of the Friends went to the West Bank and they spoke to both sides. The picture which emerged was one similar to the American south pre-1965.
But I agree with their approach. Hatred will not by more hatred and retaliation but only by recognising our common humanity.
This is awful no doubt. But I find it very difficult to support either side here. Jon Snow talks about the US money spent in Israel to protect its people. But hasn’t Palestine also received a lot of aid from the West? What’s happened to all that money?
Israel receives billions of dollars per year from the US which it spends on weapons.
These weapons are used to destroy Palestinian buildings and infrastructure.With the land / water / fishing (http://www.theguardian.com/theobserver/2013/dec/08/fishing-under-fire-in-gaza) rights grab of the Israelis ongoing, the Palestinians are unable to produce enough food to support themselves. Of course now billions will have to be spent on rebuilding the stuff blown up by Israel just like the last time (operation cast lead)
This is an asymmetric conflict. The Israelis have an air force, navy, army,US-backed security service and a compliant western media at their disposal. The Palestinians are under siege, a people held in an open prison camp with no means of escape. Israel controls water, fuel, food and medical supplies into Gaza and can turn the power off at will. When civilians take shelter in UN refuges the Israelis bomb them. This is nothing short of murder and a war crime.
Degraded to such an inhumane level is it any wonder the Palestinians exercise the right to defend themselves. They literally have nothing left to lose.
Richard,
I was very much impressed by a recent article in the Independent.
http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/comment/israelgaza-conflict-the-secret-report-that-helps-israelis-to-hide-facts-9630765.html
It ties in perfectly with this post and your excellent post on Newspeak.
I find it bizarre that the actions of Hamas against its own people are not being condemned by the Western media and the UN. Hamas are being condemned by other Arab nations such as Egypt. (See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b0m3RghOcFo)
I have made it clear Hamas are not blameless
Equally, this is wholly disproportionate slaughter by Israel that completely outweighs any risk it faces
And let’s also be clear that Egypt is hardly a neutral or honourable observer on these issues and to suggest any impartiality on its part is absurd