Palestinians need Israel to win
[cnn-photo-caption image=http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2008/WORLD/meast/12/28/gaza.israel.international.reaction/art.gaza.wounded.afp.gi.jpg caption="A wounded man is lifted onto a stretcher after arriving at Shifa Hospital in Gaza City on Sunday."]
Michael B. Oren and Yossi Klein Halevi
The Wall Street Journal
A quarter century has passed since Israel last claimed to go to war in the name of peace.
"Operation Peace for Galilee" - Israel's 1982 invasion of Lebanon - failed to convince the international public and even many Israelis that its goal was to promote reconciliation between Israel and the Arab world. In fact, the war had precisely the opposite results, preparing the way for Yasser Arafat's disastrous return to the West Bank and Gaza, and for Hezbollah's ultimate domination of Lebanon. And yet, Israel's current operation in Gaza is essential for creating the conditions that could eventually lead to a two-state solution.
Over the past two decades, a majority of Israelis have shifted from adamant opposition to Palestinian statehood to acknowledging the need for such a state. This transformation represented a historic victory for the Israeli left, which has long advocated Palestinian self-determination. The left's victory, though, remained largely theoretical: The right won the practical argument that no amount of concessions would grant international legitimacy to Israel's right to defend itself.
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Are we making this difficult to understand? Why would Hamas send rockets to Israel? They know the result of this...
Isn't it simple, OIL ...
Hamas is supported by Iran and receive money from them, Iran does not make as much as before because price of OIL dropped drastically. OPEC could not make any difference in the market. So they decided to raise the price by chaos!
Unbelievable.
I am really sorry to hear Israel is doing this. With innocent citizens dying in Gaza, families being broken apart, kids dying this is not a good thing.
I don't have words to describe what is happening here, the only thing that I am worried about is that this will only create more terrorists.
Israel attacking familes who have nothing to do with terrorism is the same thing that Osama did in NY. He killed inoccent people, dads, sons, moms, daughters & sons.
Obama should definetly make a statement, that he condems Israel's actions, otherwise once again this will increase terrorism in the world.
– Gagan
I am listening to CNN report on Israel. For once can we not blame Palestine for what Isarel is doing. Yet CNN continues to support Israel always protraying them as right. Many of the Palestians are killed and Israel always uses Hamas as a reasoning for attacking Palestine. Israel is not always right and I beleive sometimes they manufacturer facts. Israel should try and be more peaceful also. Every nation including those in the Middle East has a right to protect it own, not just Israel.
I do not claim to understand the complexities of the Israeli government or cause for war, however, the world did not need yet another war! And our Nation...... can not afford to be involved!
Someone with a clear head and calm thinking needs to step in a cool Israel down.
How can America broker a peace when it is providing one side with sophisticated weapons and the Bush administration openly supporting one side? Truth be told this attack is more about the upcoming Israeli election than anything else.
CNN, except for Rick Sanchez (who should be given an evening show as he is one of the few OBJECYVE reporters) has been totally biased for Israel overlooking the attacks taken by Israel during the ceasefire, that the UN has repeatedly told Israel to stop blockading the delivery of food and medicine to Gaza and that Israel is occupying land that is Palesinian.
Israel closed the borders and imposed a seige after the Ceasefire was started 6 months ago, you remember that.
America supports Israel with arms, equipment and expertise; Resistance movements in the Middle East like Hamas and Hezbollah need someone to support them. Arab leaders are selling themselves to the US and Israel, just look at Mahmoud Abbas.
All ceasefires must have a provision that does not give Israel leeway to control the borders and the sovereignty of the Palestinians.
America must invite people that are not on the payroll or pandering to it to the negotiating table. This is because the truth must be discussed, not agenda promotion.
It would be wrong for the US to become involved in this disaster, it is not our battle to be fought.
Yet, Israel has pushed the people of Gaza into Ghetto type living, thus anyone with a mind would in fact fire upon Israel in what ever fible way they can. For Israel to claim they are the victims remains in my humble opinion the slaughter house calling the cow the assailant.
When I listen to news outside the USA, Israel can be a bully because thye US alwaqys supports them right or wrong. Perhaps if the US had not given Israel our weapons, there would not be such aggression.If Isarel and Palestine had remained equal with thge weapon situation, Israel would talk peace. I beleive European countries should be involved in the peace talks. The US seems to be the parent, while Israel and Palestine are the children. The parent is unequal in its care and belief of the two children. When Israel is wrong the parent upholds these unfair deeds. However, the parent always condemns the Palestians. Th Palestians have a right as well to protect themselves. This right does not extend to Israel only. So perhaps it is time for new parents.
I'm very sorry for all the turmoil in the world, but if we keep taking sides in refereeing these conflicts they will continue to proliferate! Let em fight it out like a couple of stupid teenagers. [(usually waiting for someone to break-up the fight once the first punch is thrown, while both walking away crowing how brave they were in their mindless victory)] Perhaps knowing ,"no ones coming to their aide", they'll think twice about starting this BS in the first place,...
According to polls conducted in Israel about a month ago approximately 50% of the Israeli population favored making peace with the arabs.Maybe if the left wins power in the upcoming election,the polls in favor of peace would increase to 75%.
I'm sure the new Obama government in the U.S.would work well with a peace seeking government in Israel.
Mike
Canada