Gaza & Israel

Published HBT 25/07/14

Whilst the totally unjustified shooting down of MS 17 in the Ukraine has grabbed the headlines we should not ignore what is happening in the Middle East  where Israel is engaged in a one sided clash with Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, home to nearly 2 million people and one of the most densely populated parts of the world. 

Israel claims to be trying to stop the thousands of missiles being fired by Hamas militants but these are are unsophisticated unguided limited range weapons and their inadequacies combined with the effectiveness of Israel's Iron Dome anti missile system means minimal damage and only one death. The disproportionate Israeli response from land sea and air has so far killed and maimed hundreds, mostly civilians including women, children, non combatants and old people. People who there have little option but to continue doing so. 

The abduction and murder of three civilian teenager's was totally wrong and the perpetrators must be bought to justice. Whilst Israel felt quite entitled to barge into the Gaza arresting and beating up dozens in their search for the culprits, (which they failed to find)  the Palestinians apparently had no such rights to do the same to solve a retaliatory crime committed against one of their own.  

Israel  should remember their own violent history including terrorist acts and murder. This includes killing 91 people with the terrorist bombing of the King David Hotel in Jerusalem in 1946, numerous instances of attacks on British forces, and the massacre of many non jewish settlers.  

Israel has successfully defended itself on many occasions from neighbors bent on her destruction. These threats have not disappeared but this is not the situation today in Gaza. Certainly most living in Gaza would like to see the demise of Israel but they lack the means and ability to do so. Whilst dealing to those responsible for the rockets is justified, deliberately killing and maiming innocent civilians is criminal. In fact it has a certain similarity to the treatment of Jews prior to WW2.  Even the total blockade of Gaza seems reminiscent of the containment of Jewish ghettos by the Nazies.

Jews (or Israelites) have been persecuted for most of history especially by the German Third Reich and their determination to create a safe homeland is entirely understandable. However at the time of the official formation of Israel jews were a minority in the area and others who lived there have been systematically and driven out. For instance Israel regularly bulldozes the homes of non Jews in the West Bank to make room for its own settlements even though the area was annexed in 1967 and not originally assigned to Israel.  Its little wonder so many hate the Jewish state. 

Israel is creating a dispossessed people who have no hope of escape or a better future. Their highly effective  PR machine is trying to convince us their brutality is justified. This is not collateral damage, Israel is committing atrocities and its actions are unacceptable.These are not the actions that create peace and harmony but the conditions that will create terrorism. One day as a  consequence of this wholly one sided conflict something may happen either by intent or accident  that will impact on the rest of the world. If for no other reason Israel must be made to stop these excessive attacks or the rest of us will eventually pay the price. Meanwhile Israel seems determined to make the place as miserable and dangerous as possible and appears intent on totally annihilating Gaza and its people if at all possible.  

It is wrong that the world at large is doing nothing to stop Israel's barbaric actions and one day there may well be consequences that may affect us all. The downing of flight MH17  by either Russia or pro Russian separatists demonstrates graphically just how quickly and unintentionally and tragically innocent people can become involved in issues not of their making.