In three weeks of high-tech carnage the IDF killed at least 700 civilians. They destroyed schools & hospitals.
"The civilian deaths sparked public outcry abroad and prompted senior U.N. officials to demand independent investigations into whether Israel committed war crimes.
[Israel promises troops legal backing over Gaza war, Reuters, 25 Jan 2009]
Did it work?
Hard-liners strengthened by Gaza warA confession: I read Leon Uris's Exodus when I was 13. From that time forward, Israel's right to exist as a Jewish homeland has been central to my politics. During the Gulf of Aqaba crisis in 1967 I rushed home from summer school every day to watch the U.N. Security Council debate the issue on TV.
By STEVEN GUTKIN and KARIN LAUB, Associated Press Writers
Sat Jan 31, 2009
GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip – The biggest gains in the Gaza war have gone to the hard-liners on both sides. Hamas is declaring victory, while Israel's leading hawk is the front-runner in elections just over a week away.
Gaza militants fire rocket into Israel
BUT: in today's mess, I find it difficult to sympathize with either side of the conflict.
Israel wants Hamas rocket attacks to stop. Is making life unlivable in the Gaza Strip the best way to accomplish this?
Hamas presumably wants the Palestinians under its governance to prosper. Is firing rockets at Israel really the best way to accomplish this?
The high-tech weapons employed by Israel are really good at blowing things up.
The purpose of war is to achieve a lasting peace.
I'm having a hard time seeing that blowing things up is leading to a lasting peace.
... and even Israel's short-term goals were not met: the rocket attacks continue, and Hamas has not been destroyed.
All Israel seems to have accomplished is to confirm that it truly is the enemy of the Palestinian people in Gaza.
Stop the madness.
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