By now, most of us who try to make sense of the kaleidoscope of horror that is Palestine-Israel understand that strong words and finger-wagging by the Biden administration aimed at Israel have no impact at all on their violent policies. News we get from the Courant and elsewhere lets us know that stopping the flow of arms to Israel is a language that Netanyahu understands. Our government attempted that once, briefly.
There is also another tool to persuade Israel to negotiate a hostage exchange and a ceasefire… diplomacy. Up until now, the US has afforded Israel a second, a political “Iron Dome,” at the UN. Firm action by the UN, meaning boycotts, divestment, and sanctions would move Israel to make peace. The Israeli people have shown, in their recent huge demonstrations and strikes, that they are desperate for an end to the killing. A huge Labor Day march in New York City also demonstrates that American youth have not abandoned Gaza.
It is in our hands. The other two western powers on the Security Council have been following the US lead. We have vetoed firm action against Israel’s suppression of the Palestinians 43 times. The new government of Britain is inching in the direction of peace by stopping some of the flow of weapons to Israel.
Hamas is ready for a ceasefire and exchange of hostages. It has agreed to an earlier offer brokered by Qatar, Egypt and the U.S. Israel is now insisting on maintaining troops in Gaza. They demand full control of all the crossings to Gaza, including a slice of Egyptian land, as well as a wide corridor cutting Gaza in half, filled with soldiers, to stop north-south movement of the people and to mount attacks into the whole strip at will.
Is it reasonable to expect the Palestinians to accept a worse occupation than before, after 40,000 killed? It’s time for the US to stop arming the Israeli offensive and let the UN move into the area to enforce peace. I believe neither Gaza nor the West Bank are Israeli territory to rule at will.
Bill Shortell, New Britainco
