Welcome to Gaza - Now Go Home

I should note before proceeding that the question of whether any government has the right and the responsibility to protect its citizens from attack is self-evident....but that's where the inquiry should begin, not end.

I'm struck by a number of ironies as I watch the "news coverage" of the Israeli push into Gaza today.

First, there are apparently no American news assets on the ground in Gaza, so we are left with 30,000 foot commentary and speculation over silent Rammatan (Palestinian) video images. The events in Gaza are being effectively hidden away, intentionally or not. Everyone talks about the 24 hour news cycle and the unblinking eye, but try to get real time, on-the-ground-in-Gaza reporting on American television. Don't get me started on how sad CNN has become. This is a pathetic state of affairs.

Next, we have to admit to a complete, abysmal failure of American policy vis a vis the unending conflict in the area. I have growing concern that America's uncritical support of almost any Israeli action is not good policy for us or the primary actors in this little drama. Being Israel's principal ally is fine but by abbrogating our responsibility to play a more equitable role, we are providing the fuel for the violence. A more even handed American policy would force all the players to change their behavior. Israel would think twice before choosing military action over a consistent, open ended diplomatic approach. The Palestinians and their supporters might find the breathing space to moderate the extremes of their rhetoric and discover that discussion and accomodation would trump futile violent expression.

Ultimately, an Israel that requires an unending, uncritical American shield is not an independent country. Becoming a de facto American protectorate serves no one's best interests. Israel's long-term health and vitality require less dependence on their Big Stick (us) and more on their diplomatic skill and economic power.

Finally, as I watch and listen to the coverage, I'm struck by the truncated logic employed to justify the proportionality of the attack.

For the last several days we've seen any number of spokespeople for Israel make 3 points consistently: 1) Israel is responding to 8 years of attacks from Gaza 2) "1 million Israelis are in shelters right now" because of the missle attacks and 3) any cease-fire should have a lasting foundation.

Never in the ceaseless repetition of these answers have I heard a single reporter ask "Why, given the obvious futility of the gesture, would Hamas fire missles into Israel? What is everyone so angry about?" This might open a whole line of inquiry about the desperate plight of 1.5 million souls in Gaza, penned between blocked borders with Egypt, Israel and the sea, governed by ideologues, with a failing infrastructure, crushing population density, cut off from employment opportunities, food and supplies. Getting beyond the emotion and the rhetoric, someone needs to begin asking a more fundamental question: which way out?