Disclaimer
This essay – as with pieces I write on Israel/Palestine (in this order for alphabetical purposes) – does not seek to argue who is morally superior/worse. It comments on developments from the perspective of one seeking a permanent peace. Articles comment from this perspective on developments actors take. Not mentioning a given actor simply means they are not the focus of the post.
This essay – as with pieces I write on Israel/Palestine (in this order for alphabetical purposes) – does not seek to argue who is morally superior/worse. It comments on developments from the perspective of one seeking a permanent peace. Articles comment from this perspective on developments actors take. Not mentioning a given actor simply means they are not the focus of the post.
A new round of bloodletting is unfolding in the Israel and Palestine. As ever, this is a tragedy. Violence will not solve this situation. Only healing and reconciliation can do that. Both sides have committed atrocities and caused unspeakable hurt, so trying to argue moral superiority based on who has caused more harm is no basis to resolve the fighting. To create a lasting peace, which brings prosperity for all, both sides much do the near impossible: rise above the pain, and forgive past wrongs.
Murders by Palestinians are utterly reprehensible. But retaliatory violence of a escalatory nature is far more egregious (from the perspective of trying to creating lasting peace). Collective punishment of the family via home-demolition is wrong, and proven to make things worse as a tactic. The Israeli state knows better. Their actions are totally understandable – citizens in Israel are screaming for blood – but the government knows better than this. It ceased demolition of militant in 2005 on the advice of an Israeli Army Commission Report, which found the tactic only aggravates matters[1]. It is disappointing to see the re-adoption of tactic, which seeks revenge – not justice.
Murders by Palestinians are utterly reprehensible. But retaliatory violence of a escalatory nature is far more egregious (from the perspective of trying to creating lasting peace). Collective punishment of the family via home-demolition is wrong, and proven to make things worse as a tactic. The Israeli state knows better. Their actions are totally understandable – citizens in Israel are screaming for blood – but the government knows better than this. It ceased demolition of militant in 2005 on the advice of an Israeli Army Commission Report, which found the tactic only aggravates matters[1]. It is disappointing to see the re-adoption of tactic, which seeks revenge – not justice.
In this particular incident, some argue the Israeli government is not escalating tensions by its response. If it purely took the families of the men involved in for questioning, a case could be made for that. As it stands, they arrested them, and demolished their houses, so punished the family[2], before they could have possibly proven any guilt of the family being involved with the acts of the murderers. Israel is a supposed democratic society under the rule of law[3]. The state is violating that treasured principle.
It is understandable that the Israeli state wishes to appear tough on crime, and appease the sentiment of citizens who are outraged. But demolishing homes (a tactic proven not to work) before a trial, is tactically stupid at best, and criminal at worst. The government claims its superiority and that it treats the Palestinians well. Such an act speaks otherwise, and alienates the international community.
Some might argue a trial is unwarranted, as this is war. That is ludicrous. If this were a war, then the government would have a far harder time fighting the insurgents (from a legal perspective). The Israeli state does not call the Palestine conflict a war, for the specific reason that, militants would have to be treated as prisoners’ of war (interrogation could not occur), and civilian populations could not be treated differently to your own citizens.
Additional supporters of the Israeli state argue their actions are justified, as Palestinian actions are totally unreasonable, and only in response to the reasonable desire of Jews to pray at the Temple Mount[4]. This is tangential. Murder is not legitimised or delegitimised by this line of thought. Neither is the response by the Israeli government. The voices of religious Zionists demanding equal access simply explained what triggered the latest violence, but it does nothing to legitimise how either side has responded.
The Israeli government clearly recognises this. It has no plans to change the status quo of only Muslims praying on the Temple Mount[5]. Presumably this is because the government understand a Jewish, Israeli presence on the Mount sparks such offense and triggers such violence that it does not matter who is right or wrong. This may not be morally right, but it is the present reality.
Such a strategically wise move (one of many others by Prime Minister Netanyahu in this latest violent upswing) demonstrates the Israeli government is seeking peace, and is capable of rising above the emotion in the pursuit of lasting peace. It begs the question then, why do they otherwise use measures, which are aggravate matters? If it is purely political, to assuage Israeli voters, that is understandable, but also short-sighted. Economic issues are the primary concern amongst voters[6], and the cost of the security and occupation is part of the cause of the economic woes voters seek to rectify. Solve the Palestinian problem, and you have a lot more free capital to solve economic woes too.
Nothing that Israel is doing excuses actions of Hamas or Palestine Authority / Government of Palestine if they are against peace-building. Gaza residents are handing out sweets in celebration of recent attacks[7]. That is rather sickening, although perhaps understandable considering how the Gazans probably regard Israelis following the death of so many of the friends at family at the hands of Israeli weaponry. It is also claimed that there is endorsement / financial support for militants who attack Israelis[8] (little evidence seems to exist for that). If true, that is horrifying and shameful. Revolting, even. It without doubt means the Israeli government (and the rest of the world) faces a real challenge in getting the Palestinian government to be serious partner for peace. But regardless, it does not diminish that the Israeli government is utilising a tactic, which is proven to be ineffective, and promulgating of further violence (and use of this tactic before a proper hearing is unjustifiable).
So strategically, demolitions are a gross misuse of public resources. The occupation costs the Israeli state millions and any move which incites more violence and so prolongs the occupation harms all Israelis. It wastes taxpayer money, and makes it far harder to provide the public services that most of the Israeli public want (affordable housing, schools, healthcare etc.)[9].
From a moral perspective, tactics that are questionably illegal, and cause escalation of the conflict as a whole are equally inexcusable. Simply because one’s enemy is heinous does not justify your own immorality. The Viet Cong used barbaric mantraps to kill American G.I.s during the Vietnam War. Does this legitimise US tactics of the indiscriminate use of napalm and Agent Orange, the effects of which are still witnessed to this day?
The latest bloodletting is a tragedy. Neither side is innocent in this, or overall. Murder is utterly unacceptable, but if the Israeli government truly wants peace – as it claims it does, and should want – then measures it is presently implementing are not the appropriate response. Justice must be served, and criminals punished. But presently, actions are being taken before trials are occurring, and the actions of the government are putting a wedge between them and the Palestinians. This does not excuse the Palestinian government for a second. But wrongs by one side do not legitimise wrongs by the other.
Citations
[1] BBC (2005), “Israel Limits House Demolitions”, available at: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/4274977.stm
[2] Al Jazeera (2014), “Street Battles Rage after Jerusalem Attack”, available at: http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2014/11/palestinians-suffer-israeli-settler-reprisals-20141118185543648426.html
[3] Declaration of the State of Israel (1948), available at: http://www.mfa.gov.il/mfa/foreignpolicy/peace/guide/pages/declaration%20of%20establishment%20of%20state%20of%20israel.aspx
[4] Private communication (2014)
[5] Economist (2014), “Jerusalem’s Holy Sites. Temple Madness”, available at: http://www.economist.com/news/leaders/21631026-binyamin-netanyahu-must-resist-dangerous-campaign-jewish-prayer-rights-muslim-holy
[6] Times of Israel (2013), “For 43% of likely voters, economic issues — not the Palestinians or Iran — are top priority”, available at: http://www.timesofisrael.com/for-43-of-likely-voters-economic-issues-not-the-palestinians-or-iran-are-top-priority/
[7] Economist (2014), “Murders in Jerusalem. Keep God Out of It”, available at: http://www.economist.com/news/leaders/21631026-binyamin-netanyahu-must-resist-dangerous-campaign-jewish-prayer-rights-muslim-holy
[8] Times of Israel (2012), “PA spends 6% of its budget paying Palestinians in Israeli jails, families of suicide bombers, available at: http://www.timesofisrael.com/cash-strapped-pa-spends-4-5-million-per-month-compensating-security-detainees/
[9] Times of Israel (2013), “For 43% of likely voters, economic issues — not the Palestinians or Iran — are top priority”, available at: http://www.timesofisrael.com/for-43-of-likely-voters-economic-issues-not-the-palestinians-or-iran-are-top-priority/
It is understandable that the Israeli state wishes to appear tough on crime, and appease the sentiment of citizens who are outraged. But demolishing homes (a tactic proven not to work) before a trial, is tactically stupid at best, and criminal at worst. The government claims its superiority and that it treats the Palestinians well. Such an act speaks otherwise, and alienates the international community.
Some might argue a trial is unwarranted, as this is war. That is ludicrous. If this were a war, then the government would have a far harder time fighting the insurgents (from a legal perspective). The Israeli state does not call the Palestine conflict a war, for the specific reason that, militants would have to be treated as prisoners’ of war (interrogation could not occur), and civilian populations could not be treated differently to your own citizens.
Additional supporters of the Israeli state argue their actions are justified, as Palestinian actions are totally unreasonable, and only in response to the reasonable desire of Jews to pray at the Temple Mount[4]. This is tangential. Murder is not legitimised or delegitimised by this line of thought. Neither is the response by the Israeli government. The voices of religious Zionists demanding equal access simply explained what triggered the latest violence, but it does nothing to legitimise how either side has responded.
The Israeli government clearly recognises this. It has no plans to change the status quo of only Muslims praying on the Temple Mount[5]. Presumably this is because the government understand a Jewish, Israeli presence on the Mount sparks such offense and triggers such violence that it does not matter who is right or wrong. This may not be morally right, but it is the present reality.
Such a strategically wise move (one of many others by Prime Minister Netanyahu in this latest violent upswing) demonstrates the Israeli government is seeking peace, and is capable of rising above the emotion in the pursuit of lasting peace. It begs the question then, why do they otherwise use measures, which are aggravate matters? If it is purely political, to assuage Israeli voters, that is understandable, but also short-sighted. Economic issues are the primary concern amongst voters[6], and the cost of the security and occupation is part of the cause of the economic woes voters seek to rectify. Solve the Palestinian problem, and you have a lot more free capital to solve economic woes too.
Nothing that Israel is doing excuses actions of Hamas or Palestine Authority / Government of Palestine if they are against peace-building. Gaza residents are handing out sweets in celebration of recent attacks[7]. That is rather sickening, although perhaps understandable considering how the Gazans probably regard Israelis following the death of so many of the friends at family at the hands of Israeli weaponry. It is also claimed that there is endorsement / financial support for militants who attack Israelis[8] (little evidence seems to exist for that). If true, that is horrifying and shameful. Revolting, even. It without doubt means the Israeli government (and the rest of the world) faces a real challenge in getting the Palestinian government to be serious partner for peace. But regardless, it does not diminish that the Israeli government is utilising a tactic, which is proven to be ineffective, and promulgating of further violence (and use of this tactic before a proper hearing is unjustifiable).
So strategically, demolitions are a gross misuse of public resources. The occupation costs the Israeli state millions and any move which incites more violence and so prolongs the occupation harms all Israelis. It wastes taxpayer money, and makes it far harder to provide the public services that most of the Israeli public want (affordable housing, schools, healthcare etc.)[9].
From a moral perspective, tactics that are questionably illegal, and cause escalation of the conflict as a whole are equally inexcusable. Simply because one’s enemy is heinous does not justify your own immorality. The Viet Cong used barbaric mantraps to kill American G.I.s during the Vietnam War. Does this legitimise US tactics of the indiscriminate use of napalm and Agent Orange, the effects of which are still witnessed to this day?
The latest bloodletting is a tragedy. Neither side is innocent in this, or overall. Murder is utterly unacceptable, but if the Israeli government truly wants peace – as it claims it does, and should want – then measures it is presently implementing are not the appropriate response. Justice must be served, and criminals punished. But presently, actions are being taken before trials are occurring, and the actions of the government are putting a wedge between them and the Palestinians. This does not excuse the Palestinian government for a second. But wrongs by one side do not legitimise wrongs by the other.
Citations
[1] BBC (2005), “Israel Limits House Demolitions”, available at: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/4274977.stm
[2] Al Jazeera (2014), “Street Battles Rage after Jerusalem Attack”, available at: http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2014/11/palestinians-suffer-israeli-settler-reprisals-20141118185543648426.html
[3] Declaration of the State of Israel (1948), available at: http://www.mfa.gov.il/mfa/foreignpolicy/peace/guide/pages/declaration%20of%20establishment%20of%20state%20of%20israel.aspx
[4] Private communication (2014)
[5] Economist (2014), “Jerusalem’s Holy Sites. Temple Madness”, available at: http://www.economist.com/news/leaders/21631026-binyamin-netanyahu-must-resist-dangerous-campaign-jewish-prayer-rights-muslim-holy
[6] Times of Israel (2013), “For 43% of likely voters, economic issues — not the Palestinians or Iran — are top priority”, available at: http://www.timesofisrael.com/for-43-of-likely-voters-economic-issues-not-the-palestinians-or-iran-are-top-priority/
[7] Economist (2014), “Murders in Jerusalem. Keep God Out of It”, available at: http://www.economist.com/news/leaders/21631026-binyamin-netanyahu-must-resist-dangerous-campaign-jewish-prayer-rights-muslim-holy
[8] Times of Israel (2012), “PA spends 6% of its budget paying Palestinians in Israeli jails, families of suicide bombers, available at: http://www.timesofisrael.com/cash-strapped-pa-spends-4-5-million-per-month-compensating-security-detainees/
[9] Times of Israel (2013), “For 43% of likely voters, economic issues — not the Palestinians or Iran — are top priority”, available at: http://www.timesofisrael.com/for-43-of-likely-voters-economic-issues-not-the-palestinians-or-iran-are-top-priority/