Editorial
The terrorism Israel symbolises
United Nations must act to save Gaza and its people
THE invasion of Gaza by the Israeli military worsens an already bad situation in the Middle East. In fact, the ramifications of Tel Aviv's military operations against Hamas are beginning to be felt all over the world, with politicians particularly in the West finally realising the need for a containment of the conflict. Unfortunately, though, the tough response that should have come from western governments to the terror employed by the Israelis against unarmed Palestinian civilians has shockingly not been there. It appears that their emphasis has more been on the rockets that Hamas has been firing into southern Israel and less on the destruction Israeli forces have been wreaking on life and property in Gaza.
An important development that one notices, though, is the flurry of activity that has lately been going on at the United Nations about the urgent requirement for a cessation of the conflict. With more than 500 Palestinian civilians, including a large number of children, already dead from the relentless pounding of Gaza by Israel and with scores upon scores of buildings destroyed, one would have thought that the Security Council would have acted swiftly to have the Tel Aviv authorities pull back from their onslaught. That has not happened, precisely because of the United States' unwillingness to accept the terms of a possible ceasefire. It is a sign of how the Bush administration, in its final few days in office, continues to back governments that do people grave wrong. There is now the suspicion that until Israel, which successive American governments have maintained is their staunch ally, completes its occupation of Gaza, no ceasefire will come into effect. The damage that such an attitude will further cause the Palestinians -- and global stability -- can only be imagined, to collective dismay.
A stronger response to Israel's aggressive acts in Gaza is a foremost requirement today. Washington and other western governments must see beyond the perceived sins of Hamas, at the patently criminal actions of the Israeli government against innocent Palestinians. Unless quick action is taken against its moves in Gaza, the alienation that Muslims across the world have felt in recent years will only intensify. It is a point the incoming American administration of President-elect Barack Obama would do well to take note of.
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