Chicken or egg? That is the question I see posed so often and in so many words. I don't condone the blockade, and I fear the effects of retaliation on ordinary Gazans. But absent both, what would there be? Dr. Avishai, I appreciate your empathy for regular Israeli citizens in your writings, but I remain unconvinced that the solution will be found in the common refrains of "If only Israel did or did not do this or that. . ." That is manna from heaven for many who seek simple solutions, but I don't believe it is the answer or that it holds the key to peaceful coexistence, and I regret to conclude this from the bottom of my heart--after decades of vascillation that has literally taken me through each and every strain of the American left, and certainly with respect to matters pertaining to Israel and Palestine--and I write this with utmost sincerity and with a craving and a pining for justice for both Israelis and Palestinians. There will be retaliation by the Israelis as the winter skies clear, and I think you know that, and may G-d help the innocent among our Palestinian brothers and sisters.

I leave you with this "if only", and this one I think is true and I think you know it to be true as well, and that is, if only Hamas and its more radical and troublesome comrades in arms would cease raining shells on Israeli civilians, then the blockade would be lifted and there would be no retaliation as winter wanes in Gaza.

And to such an end I believe that this is where an Obama Administration can begin to play an important and critical role, and begin to fill that international void that, as you have written, is critical to ceasing what is taking place in Hebron, in East Jerusalem, and throughout the West Bank. This is where this negotiator by trade sees the first critical, albeit non-sexy first step (in addition to, as you write, heightened efforts to make lasting peace with Syria).

Merry Christmas to my christian friends on here and peace to all in the new year ahead.

Bruce S. Levine
New York, New York

One cannot inflict pain on Hamas without magnifying pain on the residents of Gaza,

For anyone interested in a straightforward analysis of what the IDF will likely be up against in Gaza, the following link provides one:

''http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1050282.html

Ynet reports that plans to reopen crossings into Gaza are a tactical move in order to mitigate international concern over humanitarian needs should Israel attack. 40 trucks are to be allowed passage.

5 of the trucks are a donation from Mubarak's wife. I'm sure that will go a long way to pacifiy the Egyptian street.

"Over 8o Qassam missiles landed in areas bordering Gaza over the past 24 hours. Nobody should doubt how insufferable this is.?"
And the blockade of Gaza? The deaths there? The cutting off of medical supplies?

When Hamas won the election they tried to form a government that included people not aligned with either themselves or Fatah. Israel sent warning to those independents threatening both them and their families that if they accepted. One of those who asked to deliver those warnings was Helena Cobban. You know her Mr. Avishai, why don't you ask her?
Then there was the Dahlan Plan: the attempted coup.

The post is vile. It's grotesque.
How many children have died in Gaza since the blockade began?
Where's the coverage of that in this "reality based" community?

Your delusional sense of moral superiority is only strengthening the world's grudging respect for Hamas, and Hezbollah. I'm sure you're grateful to the few openly lunatic defenders of the settlements who appear on these pages, since they give you cover for your kinder gentler defense of racial exclusion; but they're not enough to help you. There can be no equation of the attacks on Sderot and what is being done to Gaza. There was no "cease fire" from the Israeli side. The blockade is a weapon.

Again: When Hamas won the election they tried to form a government that included people not aligned with either themselves or Fatah. Israel sent warning to those independents that if they joined the government threatening both them and their families.
"Indeed, if you were the leaders of Hamas--Islamist, rejectionist, "
This entire post is founded on lies. Do you, or Rosenberg, or Marshall have no shame at all?

The continued demonization of Hamas et all is counterproductive in light of the actual situation. Israeli pragmatists (a growing sector) are shedding their ideology in favor of practical solutions.

This OPEd about the effect that Gen James Jones may or may not have on Obama I/P policy neatly encapsulates the difference between the US side and those living with the situation:

"Realpolitik, not unfocused sentiment, is driving the complex Israel-Hamas relationship - which is remarkably absent from the formulations of U.S. policymakers."

and

"Notwithstanding its obvious drawbacks, the Hamas model for ending occupation maintains its attraction. Hamas rule in Gaza is exhibiting undeniable characteristics of sovereignty: no settlements or permanently stationed Israeli forces, independent control over a territorially unified area, a (now expired) cease-fire with Israel, a border not under Israeli control, and the beginnings of a seaport - achievements of which Abbas can only dream."
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1050299.html

As long as "unfocused sentiment" remains THE primary force influencing US FP in the ME, we are impeding stability in the region by promoting the status quo. This applies to the I/P situation and the future of relations between Israel and Syria and Lebanon.

I would remind those who don't know or out of sentiment, deliberately conflate the differences between Hezbollah and Global Jihadists that Israel has had more indirect negotiations with Hezbollah than any other powerful Lebanese faction. In addition, both Hezbollah and Hamas are judged by Israelis who know WTF they're talking about to be reliable at keeping their word.

Until the obvious, commonsense understanding that coming to terms with strong adversaries is of greater strategic value than endlessly propping up weak "partners", stasis and confrontation will prevail.

As Joshua Landis of Syria Comment notes:

"My suspicion is that this is what Asad is trying to convey to western negotiators. Syria is not going to be Israel’s Abu Abbas.

Anyway, it wouldn’t do Israel any good to acquire another leader who has no clout."

Amen.

That the once fine Harper's now publishs pieces by the likes of Bernard Avishai is one reason why I recently cancelled my subscription.

Seth Edenbaum has it exactly right above.

Watch as the MSM continues to avert it eyes from what is playing out in the Gaza Strip.

For shame!

The world is appalled whenever Jews reject their historical role as passive victims and defend themselves. This is especially true of the Europeans, who are deeply offended when Jews refuse to be slaughtered.

Sarkozy thinks the Israeli retaliation is "disproportionate". Let's hear what Le Petit Eunuch has to say when Hamas launches rockets into Paris. Defending Frenchmen is not "disproportionate". Defending Jews is "disproportionate".

Notice on the home page Marshall has hauled out that intellectually dishonest favorite of the anti-"Zionists": cycle of violence. Defending oneself against a genocidal terrorist group is not a "cycle of violence"...except when Israel does it. Did ol' Josh call the Afghanistan war a "cycle of violence"?

Of course not, even though it represented exactly the same attack/counterattack paradigm. However, if Afghan-based terrorists ever attack Israel, THEN Marshall will label the response a "cycle of violence".

But always remember...he loves Israel.

galdsher, look closely:this is what you stand for and it's not self-defense.

thanks for all.
sikiş izle

bağkur borç sorgulama

With all the sites out there with information on them with a ton of junk it's nice to find a blog whose admin takes the time to create good material. TY for the good post.

sgk