TTMF On Israel

Once, a long time ago, a very insightful woman told me that people often become very alike to that which they are most afraid.  I've watched myself and others since, and there is a lot of truth in what she said.  This afternoon reading news reports and columns about Israel and Gaze, I think it is even more true whan applied to nations.

My knowledge and understanding of Mideast politics or history is sorely lacking.  From what I do understand, however, I can not believe that what Israel is doing in Gaza is moral,  Nor can it be justified in any way.  To me, they are bombing simply because they can, knowing that no one is going to stop them.  Not the UN, nor the US.  Not their own people, nor the opinion of the rest of the world.

If I were to compare today's Israel to Nazi Germany, I would find some disquieting similarities. 

• The Nazi regime meant to exterminate the Jews.  Israel seems to be trying to exterminate Hamas.
• Jews were considered less than human, and some of the hatred I read seems to have Israel considering  that Hamas specifically and Palestinians in general are less than human.
• Jews were forced into ghettos in Germant.  Israel has made Gaza a ghetto, among the most densely populated land in the world.
• Jews had no rights.  Palestinians are stripped of their rights.

I believe that many people who strongly support Israel and its right to exist have developed a image of a pure Israel, completely surrounded by enemies.  Their support for Israel doesn't allow doubts, because doubts diminish support.  But there is so much to doubt.  So much.

The US is a strong supporter of Israel, as it should be.  But our money is being used in ways that should not be supported.  Among the actions the US needs to take is to immediately cease funding Israel's war machine.  To me, that's first.  Along with that, we must demand that Palestinians be provided support to improve their economic status, schools, food, and everything that goes along with a stable, self-governing entity.

Of course, as we work to strengthen the economy of Palestine and Gaza, there must also be control of Hamas and its ability to send rockets into Israel.  I don't have any illusions that this is going to be either easy, or quick, but somehow it must occur or today's bombings will continue in the deadly spiral of act and retaliate.  And, I would bet that there are Hamas, Palestinian, and Gazains who would join in the effort of control.

Finally, I believe that Israel deserves strong condemnation for its actions.  I believe the Bush government has likely been lax in letting Israel understand that such actions will cause severe restrictions of future support and financial assistance.  Israel knows full well that the Bush administration will wring their hands and cry publicly, but not do a damn thing to stop it.  They know they have a small window of time in which the Bush administration is unable or unwilling to act.  Bush and the Cheney crowd will do whatever they can to make the incoming Obama administration be weakened.  I think now is the time for President-Elect Obama to send an extremely strong message and to ask the Congress to immediately pass a bill severely curtailing the foreign aid dollars Israel receives from the US, including and especially all weapon purchases and military assistance.  To do less will be seen as tacit approval.

Comments

[Felix Grant]

I deeply hope that you are right about change coming, about there being a "small window".

I fear, though, that it has nothing to do with the Bush régime. The US has pursued exactly the same policy through several administrations of both colours.

I look forward to, and hope for, but cannot honestly say that I expect, a difference under Obama.

I have friends on both side of the chasm, all of whom would love to see a new sort of history grow in their region. For them, I'll keep hoping - and work on expecting, too.

[Dr. C.]

It is strange that so many in the World feel this way and yet we must sit by and watch the situation spiral into disaster.