We can read the headlines in different newspapers and news sites reporting the events of bombings, firefights, missile strikes, and civilian deaths in Iraq, Afghanistan or Gaza. The most striking feature that comes in these headlines is that violence in all the places are the aftermath of foreign invasion and occupation. Thousands of US troops are fighting in Afghanistan and many thousands in Iraq, and heavily armed Israeli soldiers surround Palestinians in the West Bank, Gaza and these are the places where violence is just the order of the day. Yet even more striking is the terminology, the word ‘occupation’ has disappeared from the news, superseded by the ‘war on terrorism.’
Let that debate hang for some other time as America still plans for more ‘war on terrorism’ in the Middle East.
Palestinians are paying a heavy price for their vote in last January’s parliamentary elections. The election of Hamas members last January raised the specter of militants ruling the West Bank and Gaza. Hopes for peace talks or an improvement in the dreadful humanitarian situation in Gaza evaporated in June this year after the capture of one of Israel’s soldiers in a raid by Hamas militants. Israel was demanding the unconditional release of the soldier, while leaders of Hamas-in control of the Palestinian government following the January 2006 elections-insisted he would be returned only in exchange for Palestinian prisoners. And the prospect of ending the cycle of violence became even dimmer and now reaches to its zenith.
It is clear by now that recognition and talks lead nowhere. Palestinian gunmen waged a street battle outside President Mahmoud Abbas’ residence around dawn Monday, dashing hopes that an hours-old truce would bring quiet to the Gaza Strip. Abbas’ dramatic announcement - made after he despaired of persuading Hamas to form a more moderate coalition government with his own Fatah Party - further hardened the lines between the two political rivals, at a time when factional fighting threatens to escalate into civil war. There is no way Abbas can do this sort of civil war as Hamas leaders always say they will not recognize Israel until Israel takes reciprocal action by agreeing to return the West Bank and Gaza, and Palestinians who are tired of false promises and false hopes support them.
Via: ABCNEWS
