David and Goliath: An Encore Performance.

     Three Israeli civilians have died at the hands of a few Hamas gunman armed with Soviet-era surplus and perhaps a few Iranian missiles of indeterminate quality.  Over 100 Palestinians have died when highly trained personnel piloting some of the world’s finest combat jets have directed air to ground missiles at them with pin-point accuracy.  The country these pilots represent is currently protected by the Iron Dome Missile defense system, a high-tech program with each battery costing tens of millions of dollars. Not that price tag creates any kind of financial hardship for the Jerusalem government as the Iron Dome is funded by the United States. Meanwhile, the Israeli Army is massing on the border of Gaza; armed with tanks, self-propelled guns, and Seraph (Apache) attack helicopters.

    I am no lover of Hamas, but Israel’s attacks on Gaza under the pretense of self-defense and the build-up on the border is a bit like Schwarzenegger attacking a heart patient who gave him a nasty look. The response has not been proportionate to the threat.  News that the peace talks that include the UN Secretary General are ongoing and that the US has now decided to have a hand in them is encouraging. With any luck, we have seen the worst of the destruction and a cease-fire can be brokered.  However, we cannot expect a lasting peace unless the Israeli government can come to terms with its deep-rooted fears and allow statehood for Palestine. Until then, simply acknowledging the basic human rights of the people of Gaza would be enough.

Gaza Peace Talks Continue as Israel Continues to Rule Out Ground Invasion.