A suicide bomber blew up a passenger bus in downtown Jerusalem today, killing 16 and wounding 93 others.
(photo from Ha'aretz)
Most people upon hearing such news think "how awful". For some of us the first reaction is "Oh shit. I hope my family's okay". In my case I have a father, a sister, a brother and a step-mother who live in Jerusalem. I already received a reassuring email that none of my family was near the blast and all are okay. Dozens of other families are now coping with the death or devastating injury of a loved one, or the horror of not knowing where their child or parent is.
Hamas has already claimed responsibility for this mass homicide, supposedly as retaliation for yesterday's assassination attempt on Hamas leader Abdel Aziz Rantisi. Israeli security sources have pointed out, however, that the bus bombing had to have been coordinated long before yesterday and that bomb attempts are a routine and frequent occurrence that are unlinked to specific military operations.
To the extent that there is a causal link between Israeli anti-terror operations and suicide bombings, the connection may have more to do not with the anti-terror activity itself (which does degrade the capabilities of the terror organizations), but with the political response that comes from the rest of world. Bush's unconscionable criticism of Israel's attempt to damage Hamas can only weaken Israel and encourage more terrorism. Yes, Bush also condemned the bus bombing in "the strongest possible terms". So what? Hamas doesn't care about Bush's approval. But Israel does. And Hamas knows that Israel does. When Bush and other western leaders counsel that Israel react to the murder of its citizens with restraint, it acts with restraint. (if you don't think Israel's ongoing response to terrorism is restrained, compare with the way that other countries, including the United States, react to the murders of their own citizens). And restraint in the face of terrorism only gives a green light to more terrorism.
Yes, we should all give peace a chance, and if and when there arises a Palestinian entity that not only wants peace (as Abu Mazen perhaps does) but also has the authority to restrain the violent elements (as Abu Mazen clearly does not) then there can be peace. But Hamas does not want peace. It is constitutionally opposed to peace". Its stated goal is to drive all the Jews out of "Palestine" (including Israel). There is no possibility for peace or negotiation with Hamas any more than there could be peace or negotiation with other ideological murderers such as Hitler or Bin Laden. The only resolution to Israel's conflict with Hamas is to destroy Hamas, or to permit Hamas to destroy Israel. If you were accountable to the Israeli voters, which option would you choose? Unfortunately this a fight that Israel has to wage on its own.
If the Bush administration can't find the resolve to fight Hamas with the same vigor that it fights other sponsors of terrorism, then at least it can refrain from criticizing Israel for stepping up to the plate and doing that which must be done. I believe the President when he says
Israel can have no better or stronger friend than the United States, and better friend than President Bush.I do believe that to be true. At the same time it's also terribly sad. Posted by Stefan Sharkansky at June 11, 2003 10:48 AM
Bullseye
Posted by: Mark on June 11, 2003 12:54 PMJust a clarification: I meant your commentary and analysis was bullseye.
Posted by: Mark on June 11, 2003 12:56 PMStefan, I'm amazed at how clearly you can make something that seems complicated be very simple (in this case what should be Israel's and the World's position on terrorism from Hamas, the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, and Arafat's Al-Aksa brigades) - great work!
Hope you're enjoying your new life in Seattle.
Stefan,
It now comes down to a belief whether Bush is Israel's best friend. Sorry, but I cant share your belief. Castigating Israel for an attempt to eliminate a master terrorist, pontificating Abu Mazen and issuing half hearted condemnation for Hamas attrocities is "not helpful" for Israel's WoT.
On the other hand, compared to the rest of the world, perhaps he is, but that's rather not such a great deal.
I really dont know what the hell has to land on a guy like lieberman or kerry to go after bush for the ridiculous stuff he doled out to israel yesterday - it is as if the democrats are enslaved to the left wing on israel and refuse to play politics at the margins where it is won. I mean, pro israel voters, especially jewish ones, are high propensity voters, who just happen to live in some important states (gosh, maybe florida?). If bush converts, or has converted, some of these by taking a moral approach to the middle east (not having arafat to the white house, keeping sharon free from horrendous UN resolutions, etc.), you would think that democrats would be eager to snipe on bush if he retreats from the moral line back to the politically expedient line - it was truly sad to be a registered democrat and not believe at all in the party's foreign policy, that is why i left. i keep hoping to maybe come back, but alas, it aint gonna happen.
Posted by: jannol on June 11, 2003 02:55 PMYour certainly a soft spoken fellow for having family on the line... anytime I can contribute my over-the-top willingness to make a fool of myself spouting supportive rhetoric you just point me in the right direction...
As I posted earlier today... that picture sums it up... just another stop on the Road Map...
Posted by: DANEgerus on June 11, 2003 04:56 PMBush is at heart a kind man and he has time and again outwitted his critics. I respect him taking the moral high ground in foreign policy. It's still early in his learning curve. Past roads to peace have gone nowhere. It's time to let Israel use full force in dealing with the Palestinians. After Egypt lost territory to Israel, things were peaceful for a long time. Arabs understand and respect full defeat. Making accomodations runs counter to their culture and religion. Otherwise, the long suffering Palestinian public would be taking to the streets demanding change. I honestly feel Islam is the seed in this poisonous fruit. When Islam evolves into a religion of tolerance and introspection, attitudes will follow. But, that's light years away. We Americans forget that we didn't conquer fascism and slavery with negotiation.
Posted by: penny on June 11, 2003 05:52 PMPeople who urge that Israel use full force on the Palestinians never explain what that means in practice. Define full force and define victory.