A first class mess

The Middle East conflict has been a stalemate, rather, a vicious circle, for some time now. Things take two steps backward for every one step forward, as the current escalation has shown. It seems almost farcical to continue to appeal to ideals like international law, the sanctity of civilian life, and something called peace. At times like this, it is only too easy and too common to find allegations and condemnations to place against both sides. One man's terrorist is another's legitimate freedom fighter. Criticism of Israel's human rights violations for one is anti-Semitism for another. Being pro-Palestinian here is supporting terrorism there. Condemning suicide bombings there is ignoring a desperate people's plight here. Self-defence for one is atrocity for another.

A recent BBC News editorial describing the situation is worth reading, I thought. In particular, the following excerpt encapsulates a fundamental reality, but one that is hard to swallow for supporters of either side:

...in the 39 years since Israel occupied the West Bank and Gaza, history has delivered a few fundamental lessons, which neither side at the moment is in any mood to absorb.

The most important lesson for Israel is that force does not work.

It can deliver some tactical advantages. The assassination of many of the leaders of Hamas, for example, was a severe blow to the movement. But did it kill it? Not even slightly. Hamas can still kill Israelis, and it has expanded its operations to winning elections.

The most important lesson for the Palestinians is that force does not work.

It can deliver some tactical advantages. Resistance to occupation, at the moment, is popular. But has it ever threatened the existence of the Jewish state? Not for a second. And is it bringing the creation of an independent Palestinian state any closer? Not by an inch.

Some may consider my citing this (the last part) as a call for the Palestinians to end their resistance. It is not. But resistance can have more than one form, and no one can deny that armed resistance by Palestinians has led nowhere and is not likely to make things better for the Palestine cause in the foreseeable future. Like it or not, this is what the nature of the situation is.

If there is to be an end to the conflict as it is right now, it seems that it will have to come from both sides taking a few steps back from what they see as a just solution, as well as what they think is the way to get there.