Terry

Israeli leaders reject Palestinian unity deal - Middle East - Al Jazeera English

And so, once again, the hawkish right controlling Israel's government has cynically rejected an offer of rapprochement, on the grounds that they will not deal with terrorists, i.e. Hamas. I remember the American media buzzing before the Palestinian elections that brought Hamas to power. Many networks heralded it as a democratic step towards peace between Palestine and Israel. This position took a drastic turn when America and Israel didn't get the results they wanted.

But really could anyone have expected anything different? When a people is so marginalized, humiliated and angry they vote as such. It makes no logical sense that Israel responded to the election by blockading Gaza and cancelling Palestinian work permits. Hamas' victory meant that it was up to Hamas and the Palestinians in Gaza to work to rebuild and reform. Israel destroyed any chance of good will and common ground by completely shutting the new government out, and punishing those Hamas governs.

So really the only explanation I can come up with is that Israel's actions since the election has been a cynical ploy to keep Palestine divided, marginalize Hamas and therefore guarantee further acts of violence born from lack of opportunity and frustration, thereby continuing to secure American support and dollars.

Let's face facts, Israel's current government has no interest in pursuing a peace agreement that calls for a Palestinian state. Instead they argue, as they have since the 90s, that Palestinians should be an autonomous people but not have their own state. Again this is a deliberate attempt at Palestinian marginalization. How can a people be autonomous if they are essentially stateless persons? Will the Palestinians become Israeli citizens? No. Will they get to vote in Israeli elections or have a say in further settlement construction? No. Does Palestine have anything to gain by accepting this non-solution? Of course not.

Israel has gotten away their dirty politics and their refusal to grant Palestine any sort of self determination for too long. Our media and politicians have looked the other way for too long. Gaza is a hellhole and any Palestinian living in the West Bank does so on borrowed time, anxiously waiting to be kicked from their homes to make room for Israeli infrastructure.

A free, independent Palestine is the only fair and humane option left on the table, and until Israel works towards achieving that goal every cent we send them is another boot on the neck of impoverished Palestine.

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DdC

Sorta like finding this great medicine and natural alternative to the pollutants that is outlawed and refusing it because we can't bargain with criminals... Maybe we should ban living in both places and designate it as holy ground for everybody... How can the Palestinians be so poor sitting on all that oil? How can Israel be so hard hearted with their History of knowing exactly what the Palestinians are going through? I can understand Israelis Intrepidations about opening up Gaza if it makes them vulnerable to attacks. Also the zero tolerance of ever recognizing Israel as a sovereign nation makes bartering difficult at best. Seems something is getting skimmed off the top by Hamas, to have so many desperately poor in such a rich land.

The Don

Terry. Great post. Really.

Mostly because I agree with it so much. A few things I don't. But on the whole. I agree 100%

You articulated my thoughts on the subject in a very concise manner.

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stoneric

The government of israel doesn't want peace. A two state solution would mean giving land back and since they continue to expand the settlements, what are the chances of that? One state would mean the Jews would be in the minority and the cries of aparthied would be hard to ignore like they are now. With our invading and fracturing the non compliant Arab countries(and soon to be Persian)there is little incentive for israel to pursue peace. Also the fact that aipac owns congress means the status quo in the middle east will continue.

Roach

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stoneric

The reason they're so desperately poor is because israel has choked off all possible means of them making a living although I don't doubt hamas uses the bulk of whatever funds flow into Gaza for illicit purposes.