The US under President George Bush and the weak State Department leadership of Sectary of State Conni Rice completely miscalculated the outcome of free elections held in Gaza in 2006 which were supported by the US. When Hamas won, in elections certified as free and fair by international observers, Washington threw it’s full support behind Israel and along with Israel refused to accept the democratic election results.
Once again the US is fully supporting Israel with its widespread bombing attacks on Gaza. Bombing in densely populated urban areas the “collateral” damage among the civilian population is heavy as would be expected.
Unfortunately, President elect Obama seems set to carry out the same uneven policies long formulated by the US in regards to the Israeli – Palestine conflict. Until the US becomes an honest broker there will be no peace in the Mid East.
Israel has a right to defend itself from rockets being fired from Gaza by Hamas operatives into Israel. However, Israel should look at its actions in policing Gaza as if it is one big prison camp and consider if its brutal heavy handed approach in limiting the movement of people, goods, and services into Gaza may contribute to the instability of the region.
When people are denied medical supplies and even enough food to eat bad things are going to happen. Israel should be held accountable for at least part of the problem.
Gaza is one of the world’s most densely populated areas. About 1,500,000 Palestinians are crammed into an area about twice the size of Washington, D.C. When you start dropping bombs on such a heavily populated area you will without a doubt kill and injure many in the civilian population. This is what Israel is now doing, carrying out air strikes in densely populated urban areas.
George Bush has issued a statement saying the the United States fully supports Israel’s all out bombing action. Of course , this is also a president who supports torture so Bush’s statements were expected.
The US position of always fully supporting Israel, no matter how over the top their actions may be, is in my opinion a major part of the Middle East lack of peace problem. Certainly, in the Arab and Muslim world a more even handed US policy would be welcomed.
Israel wins no friends around the world by taking such disproportionate action in Gaza. In Israel’s and the US’s hated of Hamas, the freely elected government of Gaza, killing Gaza civilians in wide spread bombing attacks will only add to the region’s turmoil. When Israel bombs Gaza Palestinian civilian population centers they can expect major blowback and loss of support in the world community.
Here is a brief look at some of the characters and issues driving events in a mad, mad world. With the leaders that are somehow elected or selected by citizens of every country, or in many cases forced upon the population, it is no wonder that the world is always in chaos.
Has the world gone crazy? Look at the crazy leaders, then decide.
