Hilik Bar

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MundoOriente Próximo

It used to be said by some in Israel that “only the right can bring peace.” But the brave, pragmatic Zionist right of Menachem Begin is gone.

Successive right-wing governments have adopted the mantra “there is no partner for peace.” Of course, the Palestinians have not been the perfect partner — and, of course, there is no such thing. You make peace with your enemies, as Yitzhak Rabin used to say.

In place of negotiations toward a two-state solution, however, the increasingly radicalized Israeli right has developed a strategy of “conflict management.” The results are in: endless operations in Gaza, Israel’s southern residents living under impossible conditions, Jerusalem on the verge of a third intifada, weakened Israeli deterrence and an Israel increasingly isolated in the world.…  Seguir leyendo »

Israelis clear rubble from the front yard of a home in Ashdod after a Hamas rocket landed on 15 July. Photograph: Andrew Burton/Getty Images

MundoOriente Próximo,

Last weekend, a BBC journalist offered the following: “I know it’s a vulgar conversation, but 160 deaths versus nil does raise the question of whether it’s proportional or not.” At the time of writing, two Israeli civilians have been killed by a rocket attack and scores of others have been injured. This frustrates Hamas, while Israelis are grateful for the Iron Dome defence system, set up to intercept the missiles fired from Gaza that have killed dozens over the past few years, maiming and injuring many more.

These rockets are aimed at Israel’s civilian population, and are unprovoked, sent with murderous intent.…  Seguir leyendo »

MundoOriente Próximo, ,

Across the Israeli right-wing spectrum, we are hearing calls to toughen Israel’s deterrence capacity against Hamas, and to hit them hard. Hit them more, hit them harder, hit them stronger, hit Gaza collectively; hit everyone and everywhere. There is a certain logic to this, but it is the logic of the gut reaction. There are short-term advantages, but there’s also long-term loss inherent in it, and no small amount of danger, either. For example, setting off a wave of collective punishment is not just unnecessary, it’s unethical and largely ineffective.

Unethical, because the terrorist’s grandmother is not necessarily guilty nor responsible for his actions.…  Seguir leyendo »