WTF Israel?

December 28, 2008

I have about the same thoughts about the Israeli attack on Gaza as I did for the last major military adventure into Lebanon (see here). I have no doubt that Gaza will be significantly easier to beat up on, but how does this advance the cause of eventual peace in the region?

One reason the American "surge" was successful in Iraq is that it took counter-insurgency seriously: people need jobs and a stake in success. Counter-insurgency is what Petraeus was all about. So why can't some of those same principles be applied by Israel to Gaza? Get the standard of living up and make it less of a hell hole. Yes, that would involve being nice and spending money on people who may hate you.. but it's the only possible route to peace.

I was impressed by the force here in a post by Ezra Klein:

The rocket attacks were undoubtedly "deeply disturbing" to Israelis. But so too are the checkpoints, the road closures, the restricted movement, the terrible joblessness, the unflinching oppression, the daily humiliations, the illegal settlement -- I'm sorry, "outpost" -- construction, "deeply disturbing" to the Palestinians, and far more injurious. And the 300 dead Palestinians should be disturbing to us all.

There is nothing proportionate in this response. No way to fit it into a larger strategy that leads towards eventual peace. No way to fool ourselves into believing that it will reduce bloodshed and stop terrorist attacks. It is simple vengeance. There's a saying in the Jewish community: "Israel, right or wrong." But sometimes Israel is simply wrong.