Israel and the Gaza Strip

I’ve changed my mind about talking about Israel. It needs to be said. I don’t plan on making a habit of it though.

CNN has come right out and said on live television that Israel broke the cease fire. Sources are listed here in another great video found over at The Osterley Times. President Carter also has come out with a similar statement in the Washington Post. The Times has been giving their full attention to the conflict in Gaza, with strong condemnation of Israel, which I can’t find much fault with. Neither side is  innocent in this conflict, but I think it is clear that Israel is acting as an oppressor. They control the food, energy, medicine, and travel of those they have walled in, which includes both fighters and children, who they bomb nearly indiscriminately. They are a nuclear nation sending national military tanks and jets given to them by the U.S. into civilian areas to fight people who are using rocks and small rockets.

“If words are words, or death is death, or powder sends the ball, You spoke the words that sped the shot — the curse be on you all.” -Kipling

Israel is in violation of 35 UN Resolutions.

According to the international community, the Gaza strip is not Israeli land.

The U.S. has sent over 100 billion dollars in mostly military aid to Israel. That is $300 per U.S. Citizen, or $14,000 per Israeli.

According to U.S. law,  “terrorism” means premeditated, politically motivated violence perpetrated against non-combatant targets by sub-national groups or clandestine agents. If Israel weren’t recognized as a nation, Its acts would be those of terrorism. the U.S. doesn’t recognize Palestine’s right to exist, therefore, Any military action taken by Palestinians falls under the legal definition of terrorism. Israel uses this to their advantage in ways they couldn’t against another sovereign nation, which is the real reason any peace talks inevitably come to a screeching halt with each side demanding recognition as a nation.

Israel should be held accountable for every innocent death. That is what it is supposed to mean when you decide civilian losses are acceptable; that the situation is so dire that you will accept all repercussions and try to make amends, not to claim that it was OK because there were probably terrorists in the area. The Palestinians on the other hand should be treated as individuals, since their acts are not those of a nation’s military. Until we close Israel’s loopholes we will see no proportionality.

I think the primary problem is their near unconditional U.S. support. The nation status really is right at the heart of the problem. Make the people aware of why and suddenly the propaganda that was convincing begins to make them feel dirty.