Outrage, Frustration Over Gaza Conflict

NPR.org, Jan. 7, 2009 · The fighting between Israelis and Palestinians in the Gaza Strip has stirred concern in editorials and commentaries from around the world. Both sides have their defenders. Read a sampling:

 
 

JOHANNESBURG

Hold Israel To The Same Standard Of Civilised Conduct As Other Lands

By Mondli Makhanya

The Times

Jan. 4, 2009

The people of Gaza have been subjected to non-stop bombardment by the Israeli military, ostensibly in retaliation for rocket attacks by Hamas militants. Israel's response to the 'provocation' amounted to a steroid-pumped heavyweight boxer arriving to fight an anaemic midget armed with steel-lined boxing gloves.

AMMAN

The Losers In War

By Nermeen Murad

The Jordan Times

Jan. 5, 2009

Two regional 'democracies' have pulled the region into a destructive war that will not only lead to the unnecessary death of hundreds of innocent victims but, more importantly, is the worst example of what happens when political participation is allowed/encouraged in our region. I honestly feel that if what we are watching in Gaza is indicative of the outcome of democracy, then perhaps we should reconsider our continued calls for the widespread uptake and institutionalisation of democratic practices and representation.

KINGSTON

Collective Punishment
In Gaza

The Jamaica Gleaner

Jan. 2, 2009

What ought to be the enduring lesson of the last 60 years of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is that it is near impossible to bomb an idea into oblivion and that the infliction of collective punishment is hardly ever successful in winning political goals. These are lessons that, unfortunately, Israel seems to be forgetting in its latest assault on Gaza.

BONN

Gaza Invasion Won't Solve Mideast Problems

By Peter Philipp

Deutsche Welle

Jan. 4, 2009

The hundreds of dead will further poison the atmosphere, ensuring that the conflict will get tougher each time. This should be kept in mind by those, particularly in Washington, but also in European capitals — including Berlin — who are backing Israel in a falsely understood show of solidarity because they say Israel has a right to self-defense. Of course, Israel has that right. But because the country seems to descend further into chaos in defending that right, it's probably time to save Israel from itself.

LONDON

The Fall Of Sarkozy
As 'The Mediator'

By Abdel Beri Atwan

Al-Quds al-Arabi (Translated by MideastWire.com)

Jan. 6, 2009

The main goal behind this aggression is not the cessation of the launching of missiles, but the 'changing of the regime' in the Gaza Strip. ... Changing the regime in the Gaza Strip, if done by force and over the corpses of hundreds and maybe thousands of children and civilians — a thing which we doubt will be possible — will not resolve the rockets problem, will not stop the resistance and might even render it fiercer, as happened in Iraq and Afghanistan.

AUCKLAND

Gaza First Big Test
For Obama

The New Zealand Herald

Jan. 3, 2009

Barack Obama, still more than two weeks away from becoming President, faces an immediate challenge to his promise of "change." ... It is going to require something drastic to change on the Israeli side if the Middle East is ever to be settled. ... Americans may not be ready to review their country's position. But a year ago many doubted Americans were ready to elect a black President. If he means to live up to the rhetoric of his election campaign, anything is possible.

LONDON

That's Enough Pointless Outrage About Gaza

By David Aaronovitch

The Times

Dec. 30, 2008

Let's have a pointless discussion about Gaza and begin it by talking about whether Israel's bombing is 'disproportionate.' To illustrate the meaninglessness of such a debate let us attempt to agree what 'proportionate' would look like. Would it be best if Israel were to manufacture a thousand or so wildly inaccurate missiles and then fire them off in the general direction of Gaza
City?

TEL AVIV

Your Opinion Is Irrelevant

By Hanoch Daum

Ynetnews

Jan. 4, 2009

Dear protestors, Arab Israelis, and citizens of the world: ... With all due respect, we wish to tell you something at this time: Your views do not really make a difference to us right now. At this moment, when we are fighting for the wellbeing of southern residents, the level of support we receive from you does not matter to us too much. ... The important thing is that tens of thousands of Israeli citizens will be able to live a normative life.

TOKYO

A Bloody New Year
In Gaza

The Japan Times

Jan. 4, 2009

For [Hamas'] leaders, peace is only a temporary condition that is used to strengthen itself until it can retake the offensive against its foe. In this struggle, the lives of Gazans are secondary, cannon fodder or symbols of Israel's recklessness. There can be no peace as long as Hamas is in power and committed to the destruction of its most important partner.

JERUSALEM

Collective Responsibility Vs. Collective Punishment

By David Forman

The Jerusalem Post

Jan. 1, 2009

We had no choice but to react. Are we engaged in collective punishment? Absolutely. But let's examine the notion of collectivity a little further. There is a direct link between collective punishment and collective responsibility. ... When such cruelty and inhumanity are put on public display, without a word of condemnation by any Arab leader ... then it is the Palestinians who become collectively responsible for collective punishment.

RAMALLAH

Hezbollah Will Not Fight

By Hafez al-Barghouthi

Al-Hayat al-Jadidah (Translated by MideastWire.com)

Jan. 6, 2009

This is not the first battle or revolution in which our people are alone, considering that the reading of history by the brothers in Hamas is not deep enough to learn from past experiences. ... In the end the Palestinians remain alone and divided. This is the catastrophe.

WASHINGTON

The Gaza 'Cease-Fire' Fraud

The Washington Times

Jan. 5, 2009

The biggest danger right now is that Israel will succumb to pressure to stop its military campaign before it permanently cripples Hamas' terrorist infrastructure. U.S. diplomacy should focus on giving Israel the time it needs to finish the job.

SAN JOSE

Israel May Be Playing Into Hamas' Hands

The Mercury News

Dec. 29, 2008

Scenes of carnage have outraged Arabs in the streets, putting pressure on moderate Arab governments, like Egypt and Jordan, and on Fatah, the less confrontational Palestinian faction led by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in the West Bank, to do something. They have no love for Iran-backed Hamas, but they could get drawn in if Hamas' call for suicide bombings leads to an Israeli occupation and further reprisals. This may be Hamas' intent.
 
 
 

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