Israel's State of Mind
It is tough to argue with a legend in one's brain. That's exactly what is going on with Israel and its' justification for the Gaza embargo and the so-called inquiry it has announced into the raid.
Let's first take the issue of the blockade. The Red Cross came out on Monday and noted how inhumane the blockade is. Israeli human rights organizations note that over 100 essential medicines are not available in Gaza. 95% of the industry in Gaza has suffered. I have seen reports of chocolate and shaving cream being on the so-called prohibited list. Fareed Zakaria confronted the Deputy Israeli Foreign Minister yesterday on his show, GPS. Danny Ayalon noted that such things should be changed. Supposedly, some "changes" have occurred. But, as Amr Mousa, the Arab League's Secretary General noted, the changes are laughable considering the suffering going on in Gaza today.
As for the so-called inquiry, Israel will have two foreign observers. The military aspect of it will be limited. Basically, it will be a whitewash. Many in Israel are speaking out against it. The Whole world has condemned it. Turkey, the key country, has rejected it. Yet, the Pro-Israel Government Amen Crowd in the United States continues to push this fiction of Israel being able to do a fair and impartial inquiry. This was reitrated by Susan Rice, The US UN Ambassador. The Anti Defamation League took out an Ad in Monday's New York Times outlining the Israeli Government View. What was especially bothersome was Chuck Schummer's vibrant defense of Israel noting that it was the People of Gaza's fault that they were suffering. These folks should take the time to at least listen to Al Jazeera's Documentary that is available in the link I have just released.
The only thing that I find hope in is the debate within Israel itself. This debate tells me that those of us who believe in the right of Israel to survive and defend itself also have a right to speak up whenever the Government of Israel is wrong. Opposing Israeli Government policy does not mean opposing Israel and its' right to exist. The Government of Israel needs to understand that this very policy plays into the hands of the so-called extremists that they are supposedly trying to defeat. This very point was made clear by no less of a guy than Joe Biden, the U.S. Vice President who is a friend of Israel and who was embrassed in a major way by Israeli Government action.
On a side note, I continue to be amazed by Lieberman. One has to ask the question: Where is Lieberman? The Government of Israel is in a major crisis. Yet, the Prime Minister and Lieberman's Deputy are the ones leading the charge. I wonder.
Let's first take the issue of the blockade. The Red Cross came out on Monday and noted how inhumane the blockade is. Israeli human rights organizations note that over 100 essential medicines are not available in Gaza. 95% of the industry in Gaza has suffered. I have seen reports of chocolate and shaving cream being on the so-called prohibited list. Fareed Zakaria confronted the Deputy Israeli Foreign Minister yesterday on his show, GPS. Danny Ayalon noted that such things should be changed. Supposedly, some "changes" have occurred. But, as Amr Mousa, the Arab League's Secretary General noted, the changes are laughable considering the suffering going on in Gaza today.
As for the so-called inquiry, Israel will have two foreign observers. The military aspect of it will be limited. Basically, it will be a whitewash. Many in Israel are speaking out against it. The Whole world has condemned it. Turkey, the key country, has rejected it. Yet, the Pro-Israel Government Amen Crowd in the United States continues to push this fiction of Israel being able to do a fair and impartial inquiry. This was reitrated by Susan Rice, The US UN Ambassador. The Anti Defamation League took out an Ad in Monday's New York Times outlining the Israeli Government View. What was especially bothersome was Chuck Schummer's vibrant defense of Israel noting that it was the People of Gaza's fault that they were suffering. These folks should take the time to at least listen to Al Jazeera's Documentary that is available in the link I have just released.
The only thing that I find hope in is the debate within Israel itself. This debate tells me that those of us who believe in the right of Israel to survive and defend itself also have a right to speak up whenever the Government of Israel is wrong. Opposing Israeli Government policy does not mean opposing Israel and its' right to exist. The Government of Israel needs to understand that this very policy plays into the hands of the so-called extremists that they are supposedly trying to defeat. This very point was made clear by no less of a guy than Joe Biden, the U.S. Vice President who is a friend of Israel and who was embrassed in a major way by Israeli Government action.
On a side note, I continue to be amazed by Lieberman. One has to ask the question: Where is Lieberman? The Government of Israel is in a major crisis. Yet, the Prime Minister and Lieberman's Deputy are the ones leading the charge. I wonder.
Mike Pouraryan
