Saturday, January 10, 2009

Israeli "Brutality" in Gaza

In the current invasion of Gaza by Israel to root out and put an end to Hamas rocket attacks, I certainly don't stand in complete solidarity with Israel, but I am far more with Israel than whatever body their enemy chooses to inhabit. In all the coverage I've seen and the articles I've read, there are questions the mainstream media is shamefully not raising.

What are the Palestinian people doing, knowing that Israel's self-defense was inevitable, to stop the rockets being fired from homes with children in them, from schools, and so on? It's a deplorable tactic when you think about it. Hide artilery and use civilian facilities as launching pads so that when [reluctant] Israel takes action against these, they are villified for kiling children, and so on. Surely, Hamas and the landowners who lend use of their homes to Hamas (perhaps the childrens' own parents) are responsible for holding their children in front of them while they are being shot at. It's a ridiculous notion to hold Israel responsible for brutality when it is obviously the fault of the heartless others.

Why are Palestinians not separating themselves from Hamas? Why aren't Palestinians rising up against Hamas perpetrators to stop the Israeli defense campaign? Why do rockets continue to fly into Israel from Gaza, even while a ground force has gone in? Why aren't they getting as far away as possible from store houses and launching pads? Why are parents putting their children in harm's way, even sacrificing them?

With all the rallies happening around the world today, I doubt many people are looking at this conflict realistically. What should Israel do to defend itself against rocket attacks short of a ground invasion?

2 comments:

Anonymous said...
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Jeannette said...

We certainly disagree on this topic...

The sad reality IMHO is that this is a situation where no one is really at fault - both are equally to blame.

However - if Palestine was a sovereign nation, I would agree that is the impetus of Israel to protect itself against rocket attacks. Given that the situation of the Israeli occupation and treatment of Palestine is basically an Apartheid, it is no longer that simple.

Sure, perhaps Hamas is using civilian home bases, and sure, civilians/children are being put in the way of rockets. However, self defence (the official toll I heard last had 13 Israelis dead, vs over 300 Palestinians) DOES NOT wash the blood off of the hands of Israel.

You question why the Palestinians do not rally against Hamas - they hardly have another choice. Oppressed constantly in their day to day lives - having to go through military check points and so on, living as citizens of the nation that opresses them, being denied sovereinty despite being there first, being cast to a section of their own nation with little natural resources and next to no industry, being second class citizens, and being used to a constant military presence that is not their own is not exactly conducive to a peaceful uprising. Nor has any attempt at peaceful uprising worked for them in the past.

The power between Palestine and Israel is not equal. Israel has the money. It has the PR machine (US and global media). It has the seat with the UN. It has the military might of bombs and tanks while Palestine uses shoulder rockets with low range. Israel has the power to build a wall, and to encroach on territory.

Israel has a moral responsibility here. If a panhandler on the street throws a pop can at me after I deny him change, is it reasonable for me to shoot him with a gun? Is it reasonable for a transit police officer to taser the man who does pay fare and then gives him the finger? Is it reasonable to avenge the killing of one of my family members by killing the entire family of the perpetrator?

Self defence argument only works when retribution is returned with the minimal amount of force necessary to protect ones own interest. Minimal being the operative word here.

Romans 12:17 (NIV) Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody.

Romans 12:21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Matthew 5:38-44 You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you, do not resist the evildoer. But whoever strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other to him as well. And if someone wants to to take your tunic, give him your coat also. And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two. Give to the one who asks you, and do not reject the one who wants to borrow from you.
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor’ and ‘hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemy and pray for those who persecute you.

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of course, all those passages above apply to the "other side" as well. Which is why I say they are equally to blame....

oh btw...

I think I"m gonna get baptised in April!