Rashid Khalidi is a leading historian of the Middle East. In an interview, he explains how the current war in Palestine is the product of decades of violent settler colonialism designed to drive the Palestinians from their land.
Source: Rashid Khalidi: Violent Settler Colonialism Caused this War
Israel was created out of death pain and suffering only to rise and deliver death pain and suffering. So much for the 10 commandments Moses received
Mowing the grass’
For too long, Israel has believed the Gaza imbroglio could be contained. However, the population has grown so large, this is no longer the case.
With a growth rate of just over 2% per year, its population is expected to be three million by 2030.
Gaza is also incredibly young, with a median age of 19.6, compared with the global average of 30.5. Almost half the adult population is unemployed, and Palestinians in Gaza are four times more likely to be living in poverty than those in the West Bank. This is a recipe for social upheaval and radicalisation.
As two Israeli journalists, Efraim Inbar and Eitan Shamir, noted in a perceptive analysis of Israel’s 2014 Gaza war, the Israeli military describes its assaults on Gaza as “mowing the grass” – acting to punish Hamas severely for its aggressive behaviour and degrading its military capabilities.
The aim was to achieve realistic and, therefore, limited political and military goals. It was part of a long-term strategy of attrition, which would have a temporary deterrent effect in order to create periods of quiet along the border.
Source: Even if Israel can completely eliminate Hamas, does it have a long-term plan for Gaza?
Increasingly hawkish rhetoric directed at Hezbollah, along with providing humanitarian aid to Syrian rebels, may lead Israel into a war no one wants. Israel’s interest is a stable Middle East, but it won’t happen without an end to the occupation. By Asher Kaufman At the annual Herzliya Conference last week, the head of the Israeli Military Intelligence Directorate, Maj. Gen. Herzi Levi, told the crowd that “Iran, the Assad regime, and Hezbollah — these are the main threats in the region… and a major threat to the State of Israel.” Levi added that “one can clearly see Hezbollah building a military industry with…
Source: Israel inching closer to a war nobody wants | +972 Magazine
olddogthoughts 