The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is extremely complex and is rooted in the last 60 years of failed policy. However, I think that one of the main causes of the most recent outbreak in violence is the blockade that Israel is placed on Palestine that has made the situation there absolutely horrible. There was a shortage of everything--food, water, medical supplies--even before the Israeli attack started four days ago.
A six month truce between Israel and Palestine that resulted in a severe reduction in violence during that period ended less than a week ago. And now look what is happening. During the truce, Israel still wasn't letting adequate supplies into Gaza.
Is it any wonder that Hamas is shooting rockets at Israel? When people are struggling for the simple necessities of life, they do desperate things.
And instead of working toward a better solution with a continued ceasefire and increased aid to Palestinians, Israel is killing over 368 Palestinians and attacking boats carrying aid. To be fair, yes, four Israelis have died since the offensive started because of rocket fire from Hamas.
One of the most powerful summaries of this current crisis I have read comes from Hatem Shurrab, an aid worker in Gaza with the British-based charity Islamic Relief Worldwide. He says:
For two years, Palestinians in the Gaza Strip have been witnessing daily crises over shortages of food, fuel, health services in addition to severe poverty and unemployment. We have seen the closure of crossings and the banning of patients from travelling for medical treatment.
All these restrictions have slowly sucked the life out of Gazans and it's no exaggeration when I say that trying to live daily life is a struggle. But Gaza has not witnessed anything like this onslaught since 1967.
I used to describe what was going on in Gaza as a catastrophe, now I have no words.
Many people are now calling for Israel to the attacks. Make your voice heard too. Tell your Congresspeople to push for a ceasefire in Gaza and inclusive U.S. diplomacy.
-Stephen Donahoe
this is great stephen--thank you for writing on this! and thank you for alerting me to hatem shurrab's writing--his writing is incredible.
Posted by: Kate Gould | January 07, 2009 at 09:43 PM