These are some chilling words and exchanges coming from the Palestinian group Hamas due to noting that fact of the troubled history Israel and this group has had in the past. Many are coming to the defense of Israel stating that they are just flexing their defense as a lone ranger in an area of hostility. Jabari has a lot of Israeli blood on his hands says Avital Leibovitch, and is just getting its justice. Whatever they were doing it has sparked a lot of attention. Iran has just finished testing its latest missile system sparking another worry for Israel. Could Iran get involved and step in on behalf of Hamas and Palestine if a declaration of war is made? It's pretty scary to think that Iran has the capability to attack US or Israel with their new weapon technology. Also, President Obama has not yet spoken about this incident to the public raising even more questions about whether or not the US will come to the aid of Israel in case of war or further attack. This leads to many questions including whether or not Obama will wish to continue further relations with our long standing ally Israel if he chooses to stay neutral or come to the defense. The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is a hot topic and deserves some commentary. Let me know what you think the US should do, what you think will happen or whether this will lead to anything bigger.
7 comments:
I think that both side's justifications as to who was more at fault in the killing serve as great examples of the overall conflict between Israel and Palestine. This attack and ones in the near future will always be justified by Israel as "flexing their defense" and "just getting its justice." Similarly, this view will always be denied by the Palestinians, who will advocate that such attacks are "declarations of war." I think that this attack has the potential to spark a whole new level of unrest in the Israel-Palestine conflict, and I would not be surprised if conflict escalated because of it. However, I don't think that this alone will lead to a full scale war, and I don't think that Iran will get directly involved with their missiles in support of Hamas yet. Rather, similar to the build up to WWI, I think that this has the potential to be part of the build up towards a spark plug of war between the countries in the middle east and around the world.
The history behind the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is so convoluted, and the hatred amongst the two groups so intense, that any death on one side will likely receive a huge, wrath-filled reaction from the other side. It is unsettling to think that one side might even embrace the death of a leader as an opportunity to justify revenge. Though it might unleash a wave of back-and-forth attacks, it is unlikely that this incident will lead to full-scale war. Honestly, I just wish that the two sides could merge into a diverse country in which they would be unified (rather than separated) through their love of the land. Call me naive, but I learned in Kindergarten that sharing is caring.
I agree with Paniz in that the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is deep-seated and incredibly difficult to pacify. However, I do not think that this will lead to a full-blown war because, though an attack this brutal is nothing that will be taken lightly, the hatred between Israelis and Palestinians has already been so great for many many years--this is nothing new. It will most likely unleash brutal violence but not total war. I am curious to see what President Obama will have to say on the situation--will he be quick to get the US involved and take a stand, or step back and think about it before engaging in the conflict?
I share the opinion of most commenters in that I don't believe this incident will spark a war. However, it does open the door for a counter-attack, or some sort of retribution. What I worry about is that counter attack, because for all we know, that could be much more serious, and ignite conflict once again in the region, where the initial attack by Israel could not.
I think that this attack only adds to the seemingly hopeless conflict in Israel. The situation almost seems like a dangerous game of seeing how long until Iran snaps and decides to use its new weaponry. I also believe that the US should continue to side with Israel because Iran just does not seem like it is willing to compromise. I fear that further talks may only allow more time for tension to build up rather than for action to be taken. I am not saying we should start another war, but I am saying we should have a stricter attitude towards Iran.
I'm not so sure that this will not lead to war in the Middle East. I read today that for the first time, Hamas fired a rocket at Jerusalem. Thankfully, it missed due to the fact that it wasn't a guided missile, although it is believed that Hamas is in possession of a small number of guided missiles that have not yet been used. In response to the missile, Israel called upon 16,000 reserve troops, with another 14,000 possible draftees on standby. Over the last 3 days, Israel has been bombed over 200 times, along with Abu Obeida, a spokesman for Hamas, saying, "We are sending a short and simple message: There is no security for any Zionist on any single inch of Palestine and we plan more surprises." I think Israel has every right to defend itself, and if defense requires a ground invasion of Gaza, so be it. I also believe that the US should continue to support Israel, considering anti-Israel protests in Iran and Egypt featured banners reading "Death to the U.S." and "Death to Israel."
It seems the biggest problem with the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is the past. They are so focused on what happened before that they can't figure out how to look forward. I think what needs to be done in that region is some event that can shock the people into realizing what they are doing. Why do they hate each other? What are they trying to accomplish with that hatred? Will their hatred bring the result that they desire, and if so, will the cost be worth it? I would think it would be easier and probably more desirable in the long run for each side to just shut up, and get along. Sharing certainly is caring. Thank you Paniz, I learned that in Kindergarten too.
As for what the U.S. can do, I can't really answer that too well. I can tell you what it shouldn't do though. I shouldn't go in with guns blazing with good ol' American eagles in the background. No, that will just lead to more conflict. Similarly, I think it's important that America doesn't take sides. Although one side will like us, there really isn't much of a payoff there; meanwhile, the other side hates us and it will ultimately just breed more dislike towards the U.S. in the region. Sticking our nose in it just won't end well for us.
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