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Tuesday, August 16, 2005
Heartbreak in Gaza
No matter what one's views on the disengagement from Gaza, the images coming out of the settlements there are heartbreaking.
One of the unique and amazing things about Israel is that the IDF is truly a people's army. On any given day the roles of the people in these images could be reversed. The man in the blue shirt could on another day be wearing an army uniform, while the soldiers could easily be civilians that same day. This is why these images are so heartbreaking. Both weep at the deconsecration of a Jewish synagogue. The soldiers and police officers are charged with forcibly removing their own brothers, sisters, cousins, uncles and aunts.
The arguments for and against the disengagement are compelling. Israel cannot afford to rule over 1.4 million people and continue to maintain its democratic character. The resources devoted to the several thousand settlers in the Gaza Strip could be better used elsewhere. Even Ariel Sharon came to these conclusions, and he certainly has the credentials to arrive at the decisions he has made (whether we support his particular worldview or not). Opponents rightfully fear that the terrorist elements among the Palestinians would have an easier time preparing for, training for and executing attacks against Israelis. A reconquest of Gaza would certainly incur heavy Israeli casualties should it be needed.
As we strive to understand and debate the events in Gaza, I am reminded of Golda Meir who once said that she blames the Arabs less for killing so many Jewish boys than for transforming so many Jewish boys into killers. Nothing has destroyed the moral fiber of Israeli society as much as the 38 year old occupation of the West Bank and Gaza Strip, the rest is unfortunately bloody commentary.
- posted by wanderer @ 10:29 AM 
