Since the past few days have been spent in dialogue, it is useful to take a look at some of Israels recent negotiation history: - Back in 2012, a similar massacre occurred. The ceasefire agreed between Israel and Hamas entailed an end to the blockade which Gazas population has been enduring for 7 years. Right after the ceasefire commenced, Israel broke their promise and continued to besiege Gaza. - In 2012 also, hundreds of Palestinian prisoners were being exchanged for Israeli prisoners. The agreed mediator was Germany. Israel promised they would release the prisoners in three groups. They released two groups, and then Hamas released the Israeli prisoners. Israel broke their promise and retained the last group of prisoners. Then, a couple of months ago (this year), they rearrested those same two groups. Even Germany were stunned- what can one do against such baffling dishonesty? - Late last month, during the onslaught, a 72 hour ceasefire was finally agreed. Israel broke their promise and commenced airstrikes on Rafa as well as ground invasions 6 minutes after the ceasefire started. Their proposed justification was it is only a ceasefire of the air, we will continue ground operations. - Going back much further. In 1947- 1967 a partition plan was introduced. The United Nations proposed a two-state solution on Palestinian land: 70% for the smaller Jewish population, and 30% for the indigenous Palestinians. Just under one million Palestinians were to be squeezed into Gaza and the West Bank. Israel signed this resolution and agreed to it on an international scale. Palestine understandably rejected the proposal. Israel then enforced the partition with military action. This means that not only did Israel vow on the international stage to adhere by this resolution, they also took physical action to enforce it. Israel broke their promise. Currently the West Bank is riddled with illegal Israeli settlements acquired by military force and destruction of Palestinian property. Palestine currently controls less than 12% of the West Bank when international law states they own all of it. The Likud partys charter written in 1990, which Israels Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu belongs to declares that Gaza does not belong to Palestine either. It openly states that all land is Israels land, and they will acquire it. Through these very simple demonstrations, it is obvious that the world is dealing with compulsive liars whom consistently betray every promise they make. Dignity, ceasefires, and even international incrimination mean absolutely nothing in the face of Israels interests. The siege they should have opened is a particularly horrific instance. Let us bear in mind that this siege consists of an economic embargo (no import/ exports or technological development), walls on all sides (physically barricaded), restricted sustenance (Israel admitted they count the calories of food allowed into Gaza to keep inhabitants barely surviving), no international representation (cut off from the rest of the world), controlled electricity (remotely or otherwise), and no clean water (yes, seriously). In effect, a deprivation of fundamental human rights. The goal of Hamas within these negotiations is to secure very simple and essential human rights for the people who elected them into power. They simply want their population, where the average age is 17, and more than 400,000 are children under the age of 12, to be able to live like us- like human beings. Hamas have openly declared that the ceasefire will not continue unless Israel give what they promised in 2012. It is their right, the right of every human being. In conclusion, a country that has repeatedly broken international law (about 70 UN resolutions) for no other perceivable reason besides a grotesque self satisfaction for inflicting torture is being asked to allow 1.8 million people basic human rights. This brings about the question, has humanity sunk so low that there must be a negotiation to grant such internationally recognised norms? When one must negotiate for clean water and life outside a cage with the threat of airstrikes looming over their children, something is severely wrong. World leaders need to explain where their train of thought starts and ends to us all, because from what I can see, it is missing the stops called compassion, logic, humanity, and justice.
Posted on: Tue, 12 Aug 2014 21:55:30 +0000
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