Gaza and Hamas

Today Israel sent computer guided rockets into Gaza to destroy Hamas strong-holds.  The hospitals were filled with the wounded and dead.  Israel suffered one death yesterday from a Hamas rocket into their territory.

Israel reportedly expects this to stop the rockets from being launched into Israel.  Instead, Hamas is calling on its fighters to step up action against Israel anyway it can. Israel in turn will continue keeping Hamas and all the Palestinians as prisoners by restricting travel of goods and people to and from the Gaza strip. In short, the cycle will repeat itself over and over again.  Why, because both sides are interested in establishing blame -- identifying who is right and who is wrong.  It is about revenge, not finding solutions.

Sometimes you have to do what is right despite of the consequences, not because of the consequences.  For Hamas that would mean they have to stop sending rockets, which are largely ineffective, into Israel.  This is hard since the blockade that Israel has imposed is effective in keeping the entire population in poverty.  It restricts trading, access to jobs, and even access to food and fuel.  From Israel's viewpoint, it restricts access of suicide bombers, people who care enough to die (or are brainwashed enough to think they do), to their families.

The Hamas stay in power by feeding off the hatred that Israel's actions cause.  Israel politicians stay in power by feeding off the fear that Hamas's actions cause.  Fear and Hatred.  Hatred and Fear.  Hatred of those in power spurred by the abuse of power.  Fear of those who are oppressed biting the hand of the master.

How do the Palestinians see themselves.  Watch this video : Palestina Video .   I don't understand a word that is being sung, but I understand the video.  From their viewpoint, they are brave people fighting against an enemy that has overwhelming power, power to suppress and control their lives.  The children throwing rocks against the tanks, the children crying next to their slain parents -- these are the fighters of tomorrow.  One could not develop a program more effective in producing fighters against Israel if they tried.  Israel and the United States have devised the perfect system to promote hostility and hatred forever.

Ok, this Feud is not going to end of its own accord.  The powerful, Israel and the United States, have to lead this initiative and stick with it despite the increased deaths of Israels that will result initially.  I know, not likely.
Israel must do the right thing with the vast majority of Palestinians despite the opportunities that this will create for the minority of Palestinians that cannot see past their hatred.

Two initiatives are required by Israel.  The first a practical matter - restoring more mobility and economic trade with Palestinians.  A full belly does a lot toward promoting peace.  The Palestinans need more freedom and improvement in their economic condition.  Israel needs control.   Here is how it is done.  A national ID card for the Palestinians and the Israel's.  It can not be one sided or the cards will be used like they were against the blacks under aparthie in South Africa.  The blockades will be replaced by fences and gates.  The gates will be monitored not by soldiers with guns but by a plastic card, or even better, a plastic card and retina ID system.  People that want to travel across the border, Israels or Palestinians will have to sign up for cards and get their retina scanned -- including Israeli soldiers.

Of course, the cards give Israel the chance to gather information on the Palestinians.  And, I doubt that a Hamas activist is going to sign up for his card.  But, it gives the everyday Palestinians the opportunity to travel inside of Israel to make a living and bring goods and services back into Palestine.  Fully belly approach to peace.

Now imagine, half of the Palestinians have a card.  Now imagine a new peace initiative put forth by the Israels.  Imagine voting booths were the people holding cards can cast a non-binding opinion on the initiative.  Of course, I suspect that their first vote would be against any initiative.  Imagine they could say on the same machines what they really want.  Imagine the tenth initiative getting a positive vote from the Palestinian card holders.  Imagine the weight that would bring to the negotiations on both sides.

Yea, there are a lot of problems with making this work.  But, it is a new direction and active approach toward freedom.  Yea, it would cost millions.  Guess what, the cost of the present situation is incalculable.  This requires the Powerful to give us some control and overcome their fear.  This requires the weak and suppressed to hold back their hatred and to hope for something better.  Maybe this can't be done, but I am one for trying new approaches despite past failures.