Just when everyone thought peace between Hamas and Israel was just around the corner, another pot hole opened up on the vaunted “path to peace.” Killing 8 defenseless Israeli seminary students and wounding 9 more, another adherent of the religion of peace — described by friends as thoughtful, rational, and cooperative — brought disgrace to Islam and guaranteed another round of killing.
For fifty years, Israeli policy has been to hit back hard when attacked. Today’s shooter was said to have been distraught about the recent spate of violence in the Gaza Strip. His sister told the Associated Press, “he told me he wasn’t able to sleep because of the grief.” Well, he’ll have plenty of time to catch up on his rest now. During his sleepless nights, as he apparently mulled over his attack plans, do you suppose the thought ever crossed his mind that his actions would lead to more killing of Palestinians in Gaza? The mindlessness of it all is staggering.
Reactions from both sides were as predictable as the event itself. Palestinians in the Gaza Strip erupted in celebration. Hamas – the same group bitterly complaining about Israel’s recent military incursion into Gaza — got right to the point: “We bless the operation. It will not be the last.” The Daily Mail reported, “In mosques in Gaza City and northern Gaza, many residents gave prayers of thanksgiving — only performed in cases of great victory to thank God.” Yep, I’m sure God is pleased all the way around.
Some Israelis reacted with similar unthinking irresponsibility. “Death to Arabs” was uttered by seminarians who survived the attack. Well, which ones? The first one, or the first eight, to come along? You would think the Jews would know better than to participate in a battle of attrition. For every Jew in Israel, there are 40 Arabs within a Sabbath’s journey, assuming one is driving a Mercedes. After 50 years of this nonsense, how can there be a point to more of the same?
Moderates in the region — there are a few — put on a brave face and wished for peace. One Israeli official speaking off the record said, “Israel will push ahead with [peace] talks so as not to punish moderate Palestinians for actions by people who are not just our enemies but theirs as well.” Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas condemned the seminary attack. But will he send flowers?
International leaders chimed in with reasoned reactions to the madness. British Prime Minister Gordon Brown said, “The way to answer those people of violence is to move forward the peace process as quickly as possible.” Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice pledged to do everything in her power to “restore calm as soon as possible.” As hollow as such statements are in the immediate aftermath of monstrosities like today’s massacre, they nonetheless illuminate the only possible path to peace.
The peace process is broken, but is it wrecked beyond repair? Only when reasonable, peace-loving, classically liberal heads prevail in Islam and Israel will peace have a chance. I fully expect pigs to fly first, but to quit striving for peace is to welcome the unimaginable.
Let’s pray.
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Posted by Jerry Pomeroy in Middle-East Mess, Video