A Request

[kazzman]

My friends, I apologize, for this is neither silly nor light-hearted. It certainly belongs on A CiviL Union and not here, but, well, almost no one actually reads that and a fair number read this one. At any rate, I'm requesting that you call your Senators. I called both of mine and it took all of 3 minutes - for the Washington residents I'll cut

Comments

[kazzman]

I appreciate the parts of your second comment which put portions of this one into context, but I take exception to a few of your suggestions here.

"...after the most recent Palestinian elections, I really wonder who the innocents are."

I fear this logic commits a grave error. It looks at the military actions of a government (and in this case it's even more complicated than that) and says that those who put the government in power cease to be innocent and thus may, to some degree, also be targeted. Is that not the same misugided logic used by many militants, that the State of Israel has displaced and killed numerous civilians (unintentionally or otherwise) and that since the government was elected by civilians, some attacks on the people are justified?

Also, I don't think it's fair to say it's just 'turning off their power.' First, it's not short-term; the repairs are reported to require up to 6 months. Second, that power isn't simply for luxuries such as lighting - it's a necessity for sanitation systems, water pumps, hospitals, and other emergency services.

I understand your point that the Israeli government is in a difficult position and I was not taking issue here with the overall present situation, merely the specific tactics that violated the principle of proportionality and functioned as collective punishment.

All that said, it appears no one else took the 3 minutes to call their senators. Not that I'm surprised, just disappointed.

[fullandbye]

You are largely right.

My main criticism of Hamas is that their military wing is embedded within the Palestinian population. I was being absolutely literal when I wondered who the innocents are. When a terrorist organization is elected to power, then armed civilians (terrorists) comprise the armed forces of the nation. Can you at least appreciate Israel's catch 22 here? How are they to respond according to the rules of engagement when the military they are fighting is a guerilla force of an elected government that is completely integrated with the community at large? Israel's intelligence is the best in the world. I am honestly shocked that there are not substantially more civilian casualties than there are already given how elusive their targets are.

And incidentally, this is exactly what I predicted would happen.