Some additional thoughts on Gaza
I’m closing up my study abroad time here in Jerusalem. After 5 months, I have to admit that I’m just sick of religion and politics and war. But I’ve also learned a few things.
This is no longer an issue of national identities, unfortunately. It has boiled down into a war of ideas, perhaps the worst kind of war because it means top-to-bottom reconciliation on a whole ‘nother dimension. This is now an issue of Western democracy versus Islamic theocracy. On December 24, Hamas voted in favor of implementing Sharia law. If you want to name a straw that broke the camel’s back, I believe this is it. (That’s funny, because there actually are camels here…)
Unfortunately, the Israeli blockade since Hamas took power has made Gazans even more dependent and endeared towards Hamas. This is why the blockade has backfired.
Itamar Marcus at Palestinian Media Watch documents the TV shows, music videos, cartoons and crossword puzzles made available in the territories - the indoctrination is very obvious. Israel has begun to teach about the War of Independence simultaneously as “The Nakhba.” Yet, Hamas teaches only hate and fatalism in its schools. There is no hope in the territories, only a desire for death. Khomeini only encourages this by declaring each death in Gaza a martyr.
Hamas leaders knew that this would happen. Israel’s humiliation in Lebanon in 2006 necessitated a showering of force. Israel has not even received its newest toys from the US yet, which is a whole set of top-of-the-line F-35s. Israel did give fair warning, for nearly two weeks. But the only thing that changed is that Hamas leadership bolted from Gaza to Lebanon while Qassams continued to rain down. 2,500 mortars and qassams have been launched at Israel in 2008.
Imagine sitting down for your morning paper while your kid eats sugar cereal. A siren goes off and you have 12 seconds to get to safety. After 12 seconds, a chunk of your daughter’s wall is missing. What if she had been sleeping? Now imagine this happening over 100 times a month. What would you expect the United States army to do, really?
