I don't know how well-informed about world news everyone here is, but I am going to go ahead and talk about a current event that I have become very interested in: the crisis in the Gaza Strip. First, a brief background: Gaza in a Palestinian region in southwestern Israel that is independent of Israeli rule. The Gazans have elected Hamas to be their government, which is the cause of much tension because Hamas is both a legitimate organization and a terrorist group. Hamas and Israel had a ceasefire, which expired about a month ago. When Hamas did not ask to renew it and rockets were lobbed over the border, Israel responded with an arial
bombardment and invasion of Gaza. A week ago a new ceasefire was written. However, today more rockets were launched from Gaza and Israel responded with more bombings.
This, of course, is only the recent events--the full story goes back all the way to 1948 with Israel's War of Independence (known as "the Catastrophe" to Palestinians) and the establishment of Israel as a nation. The US government has been allied with Israel since the beginning, probably because they are a Western nation in a sea of Islamic ones. The US media is often very biased towards Israel; I have found that if you look closely you will find that no one plays fair. Hamas does direct terror cells to fire rockets at Israel, but Israel sends settlers into regions to provoke conflict or use it to show the UN that that area is "Israeli" even if it really isn't. And so on and so forth. The result was "Operation Cast Lead" as it is called in Israel, or the Israeli attacks left a humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
I would also like to mention Israel's use of white phosphorous in their airstrikes. WP was outlawed by the Geneva Convention in urban warfare, since it cause much collateral damage and leaves a lingering poisonous dust. In fact, in 2004 there was controversy when the US used it against insurgents in Iraq. So, the question I want to ask is this: should Israel be allowed to use this weapon? Or: to what extent are the Israelis allowed to go after Hamas terrorists? Should they be allowed to kill civilians if necessary? (This is not a hypothetical question--thousands of civilians have been killed in the invasion and in the airstrikes.)
Also, what do you think should be done about this crisis? I have suggested that the UN intervene as they have done in other places, but their stance thus far has suggested that they are just all talk in this case.
If you are interested in becoming more in-tune to world news, I recommend reading the BBC News. The BBC is considered to be the most objective news organization in the world, and I find their extensive coverage of world affairs fascinating.
I realize this is a bit different from what is usually discussed here, but it is an important social issue so I think it needs to be talked about.
ReplyDeleteit's fine, bill. bring this stuff up as much as you like.
ReplyDeleteand not only do I disagree with the use of white phosphorous, but using it can't help their cause when other countries (such as us) hear about the conflict.
and I think the U.N. should intervene. excuse me for being an interventionist, but too many times people have let things go too far. if the U.N. steps in, the conflict will at least be reigned in somewhat.
It's a shame the UN is too weak and divided to handle a politically charged issue such as this. (But that doesn't mean we should in their absence!)
ReplyDeleteI agree. it's not our country's place.
ReplyDelete