Avoidable Tragedy

1. "In Shattered Gaza Town, Roots of Seething Split"; By Ethan Bronner and Sabrina Tavernise; A1, A6
   
2. "Palestinians and Israelis Exchange Fire; Egyptian-Backed Peace Talks Grind On"; By Isabel Kershner and Taghreed El-Khodary; A6
   
3. "In Search of Another Route to Mideast Peace"; Letters; A30 (see Sunday post)
   
4. "Don't Try This At Home"; Thomas L. Friedman; A31
   

Isabel Kershner describes Fatah, which governs the Jordan River's west bank, as "more moderate and pragmatic than Hamas." This, of course, is not a tall order. Nonetheless, in the very same article, she provides evidence of Fatah's immoderation and extremism. The Al Aksa Martyrs Brigades, which is affiliated with Fatah, fired rockets into Israel Tuesday. This reporter did not ask Mahmoud Abbas a tough question that might press him to condemn Al Aksa. Abbas only provides quotes when  spouting anti-Israel propaganda about the travesty of Jewish communities, or settlements, on the Jordan's west bank.

One inescapable fact stands out, concluding the article: Hamas refuses to recognize "Israel's right to exist" and to "[renounce] violence." Irrationality and anti-Semitism govern Hamas' behavior. 

"In Shattered Gaza..." begins with a tragedy, the death of a family by phosphorous-induced burning. The horror of the Halima family's demise defies pro-Israel, anti-Israel categorization. Moving past the first two paragraphs, in which their death is described, is difficult. A question ascends, How could this have been prevented?

Only the unhappy experience of reading the array of equivalences between Israeli and Palestinians that follows jolts the reader back to full awareness.

• "Palestinians here describe Israeli military actions as a massacre, and Israelis attribute civilian casualities to a Hamas policy of hiding behind its people...neither version appears entirely true."
  

Well, describing the events at El Atara as a massacre is certainly not entirely true. In fact, such a description is entirely false.

• "two peoples...who are being forced apart by violence, mutual demonization and a policy of separation." 

Note the passive voice, which allows the reporter to avoid assigning responsibility for the distance between Israelis and Palestinians. The word "demonization" strikes the keen observer. Some Israelis will indulge in prejudicial remarks about Arabs, but that is quite different from the anti-Semitic indoctrination that takes place on tv and radio practically around-the-clock in Gaza (and the Jordan's west bank).

Then, there is the accusation of Israel sending "a double message." Bronner writes, "On one hand, [Israel] made clear that it was furious over the years of rocket fire and would not restrain its reaction. On the other, it argued that it took an exceptionally humane approach to the civilians of Gaza." I guess that the charge of "double message" hinges on the meaning of "not restrain its reaction." The key is that Israel will "not restrain its reaction" within the boundaries of international rules of engagement. That Israel "took an exceptionally humane approach to the civilians of Gaza" is evidenced by Jeffrey Goldberg's piece comparing Israeli and US military actions. 

But back to the question at the beginning of this post - how can the tragedy which befell the Halima house be avoided? As the content of the article reveals, not only can it be avoided in the future, but it could have been avoided last month. "Israel warned residents, in leaflets, radio broadcasts and telephone calls to leave" but its calls were not heeded.

The editorial section offers readers Thomas Friedman. Many years ago, Tom came to the conclusion that settlements were an impediment to peace, and everything he has written since then has included this great insight. As required, he remarks, "The West Bank is...chopped up and divided now by roads, checkpoints, and fences to separate Israel's crazy settlements from Palestinian villages." As a result, life is hard for Palestinians. No explanation for the current state of the terrain is forthcoming. One is left to think anything one wants - perhaps even that Israel has done this only to worsen Palestinians' lives. Yet nearly all of this infrastructure is there to protect Jews from attacks by Palestinians, which still occur. 

Against his will, Friedman leaves readers with one crucial observation: "Rockets that followed Israel's withdrawals from both Lebanon and Gaza made a mockery of those who said unilateral pullouts were the solution." This is an unfortunate truth that defenders of Israel must internalize.