Denunciations Abound
The irate, humanitarian-inspired responses to Israel's air raids on Gaza, from sources throughout the world continue to tumble over one another in righteous indignation. The outright temerity of a country that would undertake to defend itself from the violent depredations of a viciously-determined military group funded through the kind auspices of neighbouring countries adamantly determined to expunge it from existence, is simply not to be contemplated as right and just.It would be far more reasonable and seemly were Israel to patiently sigh, sit there and accept that pounding. Jews, after all, should be accustomed to that sort of thing; they've had plenty of practise, it's history for them. Unfortunately, the citizens of Israel who are on the receiving end of those violent regards from Iran and Syria via Hamas, simply don't appreciate the niceties of international demands for forbearance. That they must, instead, think of the poor Gazans whom their very existence across the border, irritates beyond endurance.
Those poor Gazans, indeed, who have been steadily indoctrinated to blame and hate their across-border neighbours. Else why would they accept the intolerable living conditions imposed upon them by their defending heroes? Their suffering is to stand as a living reminder of the brutality of an occupying force stationed across the border to ensure the safety and survival of its own people against the murderous intent of Hamas. Absurdly circuitous but who said logic ever had any impact on impulse and emotion?
The international community laments the state of penury and want that innocent Palestinian civilians live under. It is demanded by the international community - and by Hamas - that all border crossings be summarily flung wide open for the passage of needed supplies and consumer goods to enable Gazans to live decently. Yet Hamas will not offer to cease firing rockets into Israel. This one-way deal is to be accepted at face value, for there is nothing in it for Israel's assurance but to garner the grudging appreciation of the international community.
That same international community that steadfastly clings to the peculiar idea that Israel must submit to these innumerable daily assaults on her territory and her people. For truth is there are no organized protests at the street level anywhere, no riots and demands that Palestinians halt their violence and come to the peace table with Israel. The one-sidedness of these expectations is truly amazing - or not, given their predictability owing to historical repetition.
Israel has been uncovering the presence, and destroying, countless tunnels whereby Hamas has been busy during the now-ceased cease-fire - and before it - smuggling contraband, which included drugs and tobacco and alcohol. All means by which Hamas's coffers could be enhanced further. But the true measure of the value of these tunnels is their use for the importation of weapons and munitions and the raw materials for the manufacture of other weaponry.
This is puzzling, for if the plight of the Palestinian people weighs as heavily upon their Hamas leadership as they claim it to when appealing to the international community for help and to denounce the inhumanity of Israel, why haven't the tunnels been used to bring in food, clothing, pharmaceuticals? And, oddly enough, when border crossings have been opened to permit the passage of humanitarian supplies to reach Gazans, they've had to be closed again because of the danger of Hamas taking advantage of opportunities inimical to the interests of Israel.
Logic would have it that no one can have it all their way. Reality proves otherwise.
Labels: Israel, Terrorism, Traditions, World Crises
posted by Pieface @ Wednesday, December 31, 2008
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