Israel's Invasion of Gaza

Graphic by Ben Heine

It doesn't take a political mastermind to see the lopsidedness of Israel's invasion and bombing of Gaza. A few crude rockets sent off by the sealed-off and starving people of Gaza are met with a ground invasion and shelling that have killed over 400 people, including children.

I went over to Betmo's first thing to see what sources she had gathered on the topic. As usual, I did not come up disappointed. The first linked article discusses how things are possibly changing through a new outlook on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict by organizations both in Israel and the U.S.

J Street is the political arm of the pro-Israel, pro-peace movement in the U.S. which is largely Jewish-American but has memberships of non-Jews as well. J Street is circulating a petition that calls for "strong U.S. leadership to bring about an immediate ceasefire". Consider going over there and learning more about their efforts

Am I just being naive or is Hamas a persecuted little bully who is ganged up on and pounded into the ground by a huge gang of thugs? Hamas talks tough about the total elimination of the state of Israel but they don't have the means. And in fact, this article from 2006 illustrates the position of Hamas on Israel's right to exist. Again, thank you, Betmo.

The Israeli government is perpetuating violence that will never end unless there is diplomacy toward a cease-fire and eventual lasting peace. What will this accomplish? Further violence and hatred and divisiveness.

Our government has suppored Israel militarily and politically for far too long. It's our duty as peace advocates to educate ourselves about how we can bring pressure on our government to support similar goals as J Street is advocating. The situation is complex but if we a have clear, well-defined position statement that we can use as reference when writing to our elected officials or taking our own positions on our blogs and in our other circles, we can make a difference in the way this decades-old warring between the Israeli government and Hamas.

Obama campaigned on a promise of renewed emphasis on this situation and reiterated that conviction during his new cabinet appointments. I don't mean to knock Clinton or Obama (why do I feel I even have to say that??) but it is my assumption that she is very sympathetic toward Isreael. I hope that this is not a hindrance in Obama's stated desire to bring U.S. diplomacy efforts to the region. And yet, MSNBC features this video news piece by Andrea Mitchell, touting Clinton as "credible in the Arab world". Let's hope so. Because as the video illustrates, the last time Clinton demonstrated some regard for the Arab world, the backlash was so strong in the U.S., that she went out of her way to embrace Israel, hookline and sinker.

Further, I wish that Obama would take a strong stand on the invasion of Gaza and not hide behind the "it's not my turn yet" facade. We know that Bush and Rice aren't going to do a damned thing differently.

And again, many thank yous to Betmo for helping me clarify my own ideas on this issue. She has sent me many links via email and provided much food for thought through the writing and links on her blog, Life's Journey. My dear friend, you are a tireless voice in the blogosphere, for peace and reason.

Thank you also to Ben Heine for allowing free distribution of the graphic above, for his own tireless voice on peace issues and justice and his immense talent as a cartoonist, artist and photographer.

From PDA: Here's Something You Can Do

Join the Pressure Campaign!

Our grassroots pressure on Congress is working! Thanks to your help, PDA and a coalition of other groups have STALLED H. Con. Res. 362, the Iran Blockade Bill! PDA alone sent over 13,000 emails to Congress in July. But our Hill sources expect similar anti-Iran bills to be introduced when Congress comes back from recess September 8. We need to lead with a preemptive pressure campaign against similar extreme bills and in favor of a more effective diplomatic approach.

Package to Congress:
PDA and The Council for the National Interest will be hand delivering a package of materials supporting diplomacy to EVERY Senator and Member of the House during the week of September 8 – 12. This is a landmark diplomacy package signed by seven prestigious former ambassadors and deputy ambassadors that could change the direction of debate in Congress and America as to how we relate to the rest of the world. Click here to learn more and review the package contents.

Call-In Week:
In support of the package delivery, we need to keep the pressure on with telephone call-ins and emails beginning this week (September 8 – 12). The basic messages are:

1. Please work for a return to diplomacy first and military force as our last resort, as the primary principles of US foreign policy.
2. Specifically, co-sponsor H. Con. Res. 321, calling for a comprehensive diplomatic initiative in the Middle East that could defuse the Iran tensions and aid our responsible withdrawal from Iraq.Do not support the Iran Blockade Bills, H. Con. Res. 362 in the House, or S. Res. 580 in the Senate, or any similar extreme bills that might be introduced.

Here’s the Action:

• Call the Capitol switchboard at 202 224-3121 and ask for your Representative or Senator.
• Or click this link to send an email to your Representative and Senators.
• If you are really “gung ho”, you can also call the chairs of the House Foreign Affairs Committee Rep. Howard Berman at (202) 225-5021 and the Senate Foreign Relations Committee Sen. Joe Biden (202) 224-4651.

Phone calls are especially effective because they create a buzz in the office. Ask to speak to the legislative aid who handles Iraq and Iran. If their Member is already in accord with our positions thank them and urge them to convince their colleagues to vote the same. As always, be polite and respectful, but be firm, as this is a crucial time.

Thank you!

Howard Jennings for the Out of Iraq IOT