Spring Break
Déjà vu all over again in Israel
by Yassim C. Osman
Op-Ed | 1/20/09
Posted online at 9:29 PM EST on 1/19/09
Like a new season of American Idol, the current Israeli incursion on Gaza has the distinctive feel of a rerun yet arouses a vast emotional response from the masses. Nevertheless, this season is different. As painful as it is to watch the anguish, horror, devastation and death that helpless Palestinians suffer, there is another part of this that's almost equally disturbing for those who are hoping for a solution to the conflict, which is now into its 51st year.
It is the ability of otherwise rational human beings to draw a line in the sand, disregard the other side's humanity and suffering and simply blurt out talking points that support their side. Network coverage of the conflict is little more than a blame-game marathon.
Unlike during earlier escalations of the conflict, there is no longer a strategic end game in sight. There is no longer a perceived need to joust for bargaining chips for when a final resolution is negotiated. Now, the aim of both sides is to eliminate the other entirely.
Victory is defined in psychological terms, with Hamas hoping to achieve an aura of indestructibility while Israel aims to re-establish an effective deterrent. Tin-can Hamas rockets, although they lack any precision, are inflicting terror on Israeli civilians.
Clearly, homemade rockets will never serve to achieve Hamas' stated goals nor improve the lot of the Palestinians. Neither can imprisoning Palestinians by closing border crossings and depriving them of food, water, education and employment decrease the frustration that has guided Palestinian actions. Actions such as firing rockets into Israel and electing Hamas have served anything but Palestinian self-interest. However, an Israeli victory is still possible.
The victory would come in the form of having demonstrated Hamas' impotence in defending Gaza against an Israeli incursion, thereby diminishing its standing in the eyes of the Palestinian people and inflicting divisions amongst its ranks.
It is the ability of otherwise rational human beings to draw a line in the sand, disregard the other side's humanity and suffering and simply blurt out talking points that support their side. Network coverage of the conflict is little more than a blame-game marathon.
Unlike during earlier escalations of the conflict, there is no longer a strategic end game in sight. There is no longer a perceived need to joust for bargaining chips for when a final resolution is negotiated. Now, the aim of both sides is to eliminate the other entirely.
Victory is defined in psychological terms, with Hamas hoping to achieve an aura of indestructibility while Israel aims to re-establish an effective deterrent. Tin-can Hamas rockets, although they lack any precision, are inflicting terror on Israeli civilians.
Clearly, homemade rockets will never serve to achieve Hamas' stated goals nor improve the lot of the Palestinians. Neither can imprisoning Palestinians by closing border crossings and depriving them of food, water, education and employment decrease the frustration that has guided Palestinian actions. Actions such as firing rockets into Israel and electing Hamas have served anything but Palestinian self-interest. However, an Israeli victory is still possible.
The victory would come in the form of having demonstrated Hamas' impotence in defending Gaza against an Israeli incursion, thereby diminishing its standing in the eyes of the Palestinian people and inflicting divisions amongst its ranks.
Viewing Comments 1 - 3 of 3
Gertrud Osman
posted 1/22/09 @ 3:46 AM EST
An excellent analyses of the conflict between Palestina and Israel. A conflict that has its roots in the incapability of Europe in finding solutions for the Jews after World War 2. (Continued…)
Response to Gertrud
posted 7/22/09 @ 4:21 PM EST
Gertrud, Israel was not created to find the solution for Jews after WWII. As PM Nentanyahu clearly put it, if Israel was already established, there may not have been a Holocaust. (Continued…)
Gideon
posted 7/27/09 @ 1:35 AM EST
Let me take your "not adhere to cease fire agreements" one step further. I have just begun Efraim Karsh's biography of Arafat ("Arafat's War", Grove/Atlantic, 2003) and I'm only unto chapter two. (Continued…)
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