INTERNATIONAL ANALYSIS (ISRAEL)
Apparently, Israel has a license to freely kill every single member of Hamas it wants. Sure, Hamas are responsible for civilian casualties.
But first of all, the number of Israelis murdered by Hamas doesn’t even come close to the number of Palestinians murdered by Israel.
Secondly, if we apply the same standards to both sides, then Palestinians should get a free pass to target any member Israeli political parties such as Kadima, Likud or the Labour, since every Israeli government has been bathing in Palestinian blood.
Israel is a highly militarized society where many, not least the West Bank settlers, carry weapons. Yet, when an armed Israelis are shot they are never reported as dead “militants.” Needless to say, they would be allowed to bomb any building belonging to the Israeli government.
Our politicians seem to have forgotten that Gaza is still occupied. Even in Haaretz, which by Israeli standards is relatively moderate (though it continues to refer to the 8-meter high wall in the West Bank as “the security fence”), one finds commentators completely neglecting the siege
[T]he tragedy of Operation Cast Lead is unavoidable.
It derives directly from the fact that the Palestinians did not take proper advantage of the historic opportunity given to them in 2005. It derives from the fact that when the Palestinians achieved self-government for the first time in their history they misused it.
It derives from the fact that the Palestinian need to destroy Israel is still stronger than their need to build Palestine.”
But the truth is that Israel’s “disengagement” from Gaza in 2005 was nothing more than the evacuation of Jewish settlers. Three and a half years on, Israel still controls the Strip’s borders, air-space and water.
Under such circumstances, self-governance means little. In plain English: Gaza is an open-air prison. Because it has no roof, the Zionists are able to bomb the prisoners whenever they feel like it.
Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal made clear that his group does want a cease-fire, but that it must be part of a wider agreement resulting in Israel lifting the siege on Gaza and open the crossings. Meshaal is perfectly right. While a cease-fire would end the immediate warfare, it would not make much difference in the long run as Gaza is on the brink of starvation.
Kristoffer Larsson is a Swedish theology student occasionally commenting on political issues. He works with the Bethlehem-based International Middle East Media Center and is a Director of Deir Yassin Remembered. He appreciates constructive feedback: kristoffer.larsson@sobernet.nu.
But first of all, the number of Israelis murdered by Hamas doesn’t even come close to the number of Palestinians murdered by Israel.
Secondly, if we apply the same standards to both sides, then Palestinians should get a free pass to target any member Israeli political parties such as Kadima, Likud or the Labour, since every Israeli government has been bathing in Palestinian blood.
Israel is a highly militarized society where many, not least the West Bank settlers, carry weapons. Yet, when an armed Israelis are shot they are never reported as dead “militants.” Needless to say, they would be allowed to bomb any building belonging to the Israeli government.Our politicians seem to have forgotten that Gaza is still occupied. Even in Haaretz, which by Israeli standards is relatively moderate (though it continues to refer to the 8-meter high wall in the West Bank as “the security fence”), one finds commentators completely neglecting the siege
[T]he tragedy of Operation Cast Lead is unavoidable.
It derives directly from the fact that the Palestinians did not take proper advantage of the historic opportunity given to them in 2005. It derives from the fact that when the Palestinians achieved self-government for the first time in their history they misused it.
It derives from the fact that the Palestinian need to destroy Israel is still stronger than their need to build Palestine.”
But the truth is that Israel’s “disengagement” from Gaza in 2005 was nothing more than the evacuation of Jewish settlers. Three and a half years on, Israel still controls the Strip’s borders, air-space and water.
Under such circumstances, self-governance means little. In plain English: Gaza is an open-air prison. Because it has no roof, the Zionists are able to bomb the prisoners whenever they feel like it.
Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal made clear that his group does want a cease-fire, but that it must be part of a wider agreement resulting in Israel lifting the siege on Gaza and open the crossings. Meshaal is perfectly right. While a cease-fire would end the immediate warfare, it would not make much difference in the long run as Gaza is on the brink of starvation.
Kristoffer Larsson is a Swedish theology student occasionally commenting on political issues. He works with the Bethlehem-based International Middle East Media Center and is a Director of Deir Yassin Remembered. He appreciates constructive feedback: kristoffer.larsson@sobernet.nu.
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