The international community must step up
Where do we go from here? After a summer of bloodshed and fear in Israel and Gaza, what can the left do to keep alive hopes for long-term peace and stability?
It is vital to recognise that Israel was forced into this conflict by Hamas, which has indiscriminately launched rockets and mortars, around 4,000 since 8 July alone, with the intent of killing as many civilians as possible. No country could ignore such attacks on its people, and the idea that Israel can disregard the infiltration of terrorists into its southern cities from deeply dug tunnels is simply naive.
It is also important to acknowledge – something largely missing from debate around the current conflict – that the international community totally failed to discharge the responsibility it undertook at the end of the last Israel-Hamas war, in 2008-9, to prevent weapons reaching terrorist groups in Gaza. Israel has thus had to shoulder this burden alone.
This is not a war between Israel and the Palestinian people, but between Israel and Hamas terrorists. Too many on the left are silent on the abuses of human rights perpetrated on the civilian population of Gaza by Hamas, like the recent execution of at least 25 people accused of ‘collaborating’ with Israel. Moreover, those who call for the end of the blockade are similarly silent when presented with the fact that concrete sent to Gaza to build schools and hospitals was used instead to build terror tunnels.
The only sustainable solution to the conflict involves disarming Hamas and other militant groups in Gaza, together with a programme of comprehensive reconstruction, probably overseen by the Palestinian Authority with support from Egypt and others. A ceasefire which weakens Hamas and restores the Palestinian Authority to the Gaza Strip with Israeli support could be a stronger basis for advancing the peace process.
No government or state should be immune from criticism. But, sadly, by adopting a one-sided language of condemnation and ignoring the causes and context of the current conflict, some on the left appear more interested in demonising Israel than helping achieve a lasting peace. It is unfortunate that some of those voices include people in elected roles. What is needed instead is grown-up, credible policymaking which seeks solutions, not to apportion blame.
Progressives should also seek to strengthen the position of our Israeli Labor comrades and others on the Israeli left. As the secretary general of the Israeli Labor party, Hilik Bar, has argued, Israel needs to feel that the international community understands its security needs, and that it is willing to recognise in word and deed the country’s need to protect itself. Without believing that it has the backing of its western allies in defending itself from terrorist attacks, even the Israeli ‘peace camp’ will not be able to make the case for territorial concessions in the West Bank.
The international community failed Israel and the Palestinians after the previous rounds of fighting. Now, in the months ahead, it is important that we maintain an environment on the left which supports the emergence of a two-state solution: one that fulfils the legitimate aspirations of both the Israeli and Palestinian peoples to live alongside one another in safety, security and peace.
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Jennifer Gerber is director of Labour Friends of Israel
The heading to this article is “Solutions, not blame”. That heading captures my own views on this issue: we on the left need to ask ourselves how we can help to resolve this conflict. Blame is unlikely to be part of the solution. As a teacher of conflict resolution, I am appalled by how polarised the debate on this issue is, and by how each side and its supporters seems unable or unwilling to appreciate the experiences of the other side. It does not help the position on the ground for any one of us to adopt an uncritical stance in support of one side or the other. Indeed it seems to me that we risk worsening the position by doing so, since we ourselves become part of the cycle of blame and violence.
However I am sorry to say that I do not think your article lives up to the promise of its title. You do in fact set out to apportion blame, which you lay squarely and apparently exclusively at Hamas’s door. Moreover, your solution does not involve any process of dialogue, or working towards greater understanding, or gradual peace-building (which are the only kind of solution which will work). Instead it involves a completely unachievable demand that Hamas and others be disarmed. What if they resist? Are you saying war efforts must be stepped up?
As director of Labour Friends of Israel you are in an excellent position to influence this debate. It would be wonderful if, instead of further entrenching competing positions, you were able to encourage a process which might emphasise empathy and peace-building.
If a two state solution is to be achieved then the whole area needs to be demilitarised so there cannot be anything other than what can be coped with by police forces.
The comments I made yesterday on Luke Akehurst’s article apply almost as much to this article as to that one, and I doubt both the sincerity of any statements made by the Israeli government about two-state solutions and the ability of any party to influence it in that regard.
Since I posted my comment, I have read a previous article that Mr Akehurst had written a couple of years ago on the topic of Israel. He stated that one could disregard the resolutions of the United Nations, because he considered that organisation to have an anti-Israeli bias. It is my opinion that, if that is the reasoning behind the Israeli government’s stance, the honourable thing to do would be for Israel to resign its membership of the United Nations.
very biased, unfair one sided and condemnable comments by the person supporting these attrocities and making propagand that israil is justified to kill hundred of thousands of innocent childrn and women of Palestine. if that is justified then why you cxry over Hitler action.He could see what this nation is capable of what we are seeing today.
unfair,
I do agree that we need a solutions not blame. I am very skeptical that we would ever find a solution to solve the Israel and Hamas conflicts. The only way I can see out of this impasse is for the Israelis and Hamas has to change their mind set. I can’t see this happening in our lifetime. As for the international community getting involved. With the Israelis track record for ignoring the UN mandates. The other problem as I see it the International community when they don’t like a government they are quick to call them terrorists. The problem we are having at this moment the International community is lost tying to find a solution. Because they haven’t seem to learn might is not always right. I do think there is a simpler answer if the west stop demonise Islam. They will marginalise the Islamist because they are totally distorting the Corona.
This is out of touch, isn’t it?
It’s not about blame really. It’s about taking responsibility. Very different ways of seeing two related concepts. The latter is not being taken seriously enough.