Ceasefire in the Midst?

The BBC is reporting a possible ceasefire might be in the making. Egypt is claiming they are working toward a ceasefire between the two warring groups of Palestine and Israel. Egypt seems like they truly would like to aid in establishing a ceasefire between the Palestinians and Israel. President Hosni Mubarak seems to be cooperating and actually leading the way to a ceasefire. I believe and end to violence in the region would benefit all parties involved. There is one hitch, both sides are claiming that they will not stop fighting until the other group does. This is not a very good policy. It is an escapegoat for both parties blame the other group. At the end of the day, I really hope that Egypt is sincere in their efforts of establishing a cease-fire. I also hope that both groups will come to a consensus that killing just is not solving the problems in the region.

The Calm Before the Storm??

Reuters had a story yesterday where the headlines says it all, "Israeli army and Gaza militants in uneasy lull". (Reuters). One can imagine a war scene where the soldiers duck back into the foxhole in order to reload. Is this the calm before the storm or is there real peace on the horizon? We can only wait and see.

Terror in Jerusalem

The Los Angeles Times has reported the news concerning the recent shootings in Jerusalem. The world has been rocked, yet again, by the the news of a gunman who walked into a seminary in Jerusalem and killed eight students before he was shot and killed. There is no clear report of which group is claiming responsibility for the attack. Hamas has said they were in fact reposible. While on the contrary, a Lebanese group has said they were the perpetrators.

Regardless of who was responisble, the killings were a horrific reaction to the assassination of a Hezbollah operative. This again creates a large chasm in an already divided city. There will now be a thick black line dividing Israeli and Palestinian.

The Los Angeles Times also reported that many Israeli leaders are calling for restraint. They are asking Israeli students not to conduct violent acts against Palestinians. This is a testament to the ability of the Israeli people to refrain from violence and hope for justice. Others in the Zionist movement are claiming that the attacks are another example of oppression against Jews and must be stopped with the use of force. Along with the divide between Jews and Arabs there is a schism in the Israeli ranks. Olmert and Abbas are once again finding themselves in a very difficult position.

School shooting seems to be commonplace in many societies today. The U.S. has been raveged by a whole slew of attacks on both highschool and college campuses in the past five years. The level of terror that is piqued in a community by killing innocent young adults is overwhelming, this is exactly why this tactic is used.

The shootings in Jerusalem are a little bit different in that they are used by one group to prove a point to another group. Where as in the U.S. the attack is from one individual against a group or set of individuals. The Palestinians were making a point to ALL Israelis with this attack. I am a bit uneasy about the repercussions of the attacks. I think more blood will be shed on both sides. Both the Israelis and Palestinians are unwilling listen to eachother and the division is growing. Hopefully, with pressure from the global community, the violence can be stifled and peace negotiations can resume.

Condaleeza Rice to the Rescue?

BBC news has a story today in which President Mahmoud Abbas is asking for a calm to the violence in the region. Violence has escalated between both sides of the conflict this past week. A huge amount of Palestinian rockest have been flying into Israeli towns which in turn increased the amount of Israeli counterstrikes.

To say that the tensions are high is an understatement, but many leaders are calling for a calming period. Mahmoud Abbas is asking for the Palestinian people to stop the violence in order to open the door to peace talks. Really it seems that he is talking directly to the Hamas militants and other radicals who are perpetually fighting. Condoleezaa Rice has also made a trip to the region asking both sides to halt the violence and come to a peaceful agreement.

The leaders of Hamas still reject any agreement of a ceasefire because they claim Israel is reponsible for the violence. They still do not recognize the fact that their rocket attacks stir up violent responses from Israel. I think Condoleezza Rice and pressure from other countries for a peace agreement can help the situation.

Condaleeza Rice to the Rescue?

Threats Increase Tensions.

newsVOA.com had an interesting story about the recent attacks in Israel and Gaza today. The leaders of the militant group, Hamas, are threatening Israel with increased rocket attacks. Israel follows with the standard statement; Israel will do everything in their power to protect themselves.

One statement given by a Hamas leader opened my eyes today. It was a pathetic attempt to gain sympathy. On top of that, their ability to understand cause and effect is horribly deficient. Israel fires rockets AFTER Hamas kills innocent people. I do not understand why this fact is not apparent to the militant leaders of Hamas. If they would stop attacking Israel, Israel would stop attacking them, plain and simple.

Here is the statement by Hamas leadership: "So I think Israel tries to make Gaza sink in the ocean of blood and tears and suffering," said Hamas official Ghazi Hamad. "And maybe it tried to impose some collective punishment against [the] Palestinian people." (newsVOA.com)

This statement completely panders to emotion and sympathy. Hamas leaders are putting the Palestinians in harms way. They are the ones who, with their behavior and rhetoric, endanger the lives of innocent, moral, and good Palestinians. After firing this ridiculous rhetoric at the media, they then hide behind innocent people for camouflage. Their behavior is contemptible and immoral. These radically violent militants should be scorned by other people in their community. A little peer pressure goes a long way.

Can Peace be on the Horizon?

Just when we thought there may be a break through in peace negotiations, violence erupts. According to a report by Reuters, one Palestinian is dead after an Israeli soldier caught him planting a bomb. The Palestinian was shot and later died from wounds suffered in the attack.

One may ask, is peace even possible in an environment were violence is a daily occurence? For the most part it seems that Israeli forces are typically defending themselves from random bombings and missle attacks from Palestinian militants. If this is the case, then Isralie forces are justified in using force. Also, if Arab leaders truly do want a peace agreement, they must promote a hardline stance against the attacks of Palestinian miliatnts against Israel. Especially if the attacks are targeting innocent civilians.

If Palestinian militants believe they are justified in using force, then they should get in their military uniforms and fight for the country they desire. Instead they act like cowards and using terror tactics against innocent civilians.