Gaza, Palestine & America's Role as an Honest Broker
The People of Gaza continue to be under siege. There seems to be no let up. On top of that, the political paralysis that exists between Hamas and Fatah plays into the hands of the current Israeli Government.
The only way Gaza seems to survive right now are the tunnels. The Israelis, with the tacit approval of the Egyptians, destoryed the network of tunnels during the 3-week war last year. But, the tunnels apparently are back. The tunnels seem to be the only outlet that allows some semblance of commerce to continue. The Egyptians seem to be playing both sides of the fence. The only people losing in this political game of chicken are the Gazans who have to struggle to live.
As Israel continues to build settlements and create defactor Bantustans in the occupired territories, the United States seems to have backed away from the declared policy that settlement activity must stop. Secretary Clinton had to end up backing away from her statement. What I find distrubing is the fact that the Arab Street will now truly realize that the United States is not an honest broker. It is also not helpful when the US House passes a resolution condeming the Goldstone Report. I am yet to see direct rebuttals of the conclusions of Judge Goldstone and what he had to say. I have reviewed the Government of Israel's position about how "one-sided" it all was. But that is about it. I have also noted that the Government of Israel seems to understand that it has to do something to avoid further damage to its' international standing. America's status as an Honest Broker will continue to be as suspect as ever.
The only way Gaza seems to survive right now are the tunnels. The Israelis, with the tacit approval of the Egyptians, destoryed the network of tunnels during the 3-week war last year. But, the tunnels apparently are back. The tunnels seem to be the only outlet that allows some semblance of commerce to continue. The Egyptians seem to be playing both sides of the fence. The only people losing in this political game of chicken are the Gazans who have to struggle to live.
As Israel continues to build settlements and create defactor Bantustans in the occupired territories, the United States seems to have backed away from the declared policy that settlement activity must stop. Secretary Clinton had to end up backing away from her statement. What I find distrubing is the fact that the Arab Street will now truly realize that the United States is not an honest broker. It is also not helpful when the US House passes a resolution condeming the Goldstone Report. I am yet to see direct rebuttals of the conclusions of Judge Goldstone and what he had to say. I have reviewed the Government of Israel's position about how "one-sided" it all was. But that is about it. I have also noted that the Government of Israel seems to understand that it has to do something to avoid further damage to its' international standing. America's status as an Honest Broker will continue to be as suspect as ever.
Mike Pouraryan
