The editors of the Washington Post argue that Arab countries’ counter-proposal for ending the war between Israel and Hamas should be taken seriously and, indeed, should be supported by the U. S. as the only rational solution on the table:
His [ed. President Trump’s] head-scratching proposal put the onus on Arab and Palestinian leaders to come up with an alternative vision for Gaza’s “day after,” and they have done just that. Arab League leaders meeting in Cairo last week endorsed a realistic plan put forward by Egyptian President Abdel Fatah El-Sisi for a multiyear reconstruction of Gaza that would leave Palestinian residents in their homeland and commit the wealthy Arab countries to paying most of the rebuilding costs.
France, Germany, Italy and Britain, as well as China and the 57 Muslim countries represented in the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, quickly backed the Arab plan. Predictably, Israel and the Trump administration rejected it. This is a shame, because the Arab plan — though incomplete and vague on key details, including the future role of Hamas’s military wing in Gaza — offers many sensible, workable ideas. It provides a useful starting point for talks on Gaza’s future and a clear road map for reconstruction, and attaches a price tag. It deserves serious consideration in the United States and Israel.
My own view is that I think that forcing people from their homes is unjust whether they are Israelis or Palestinians. But I question whether the Arab proposal is actually rational or a resolution at all. How rational is it for Israel to leave the military wing of an organization dedicated to the murder of its citizens in place?
As I have said any number of times before I do not believe there is a rational, just, and merciful solution to the conflict between the Israelis and the Palestinians. The best that might be accomplished is an ongoing process of negotiations and that should be our immediate objective.
Wasn’t this another thing Trump said he could resolve in one day? Plus, our eggs still cost a lot. I bought some to make some creme brûlée tonight (the twins love to torch the sugar) and I had to max out the credit cards to buy them!
Steve
@steve
I am not sure how old “the twins” are, but I suspect they should not be playing with a torch.
Have a good day.
“…I had to max out the credit cards to buy them!”
Sorry to hear about your dive into poverty and poor personal financial stewardship.
The blood sacrifice Hamas has taken from the Jews and the reciprocal bloodletting that ricocheted back their way has been met with disbelief by Western media and campus doofuses. The truth is that this is the only path open to the parties involved.
Christians forgive and empathize, feel, care, and love.
Jews are not Christian. Hamas is not Christian. Neither side forgives.
But, as the blood sacrifice continues to flow, Israel continues to gain territory.
This is really the only thing that matters.
For the Arab states, pouring Billions into a reconstruction of Gaza is a lot more palatable than allowing the zealots to emigrate to their countries and we should not be blind to that either. A terrorist government seizing power in Jorden or Saudi Arabia is not beyond the possible outcome of that.
No solution that allows Hamas to continue educating the young in Gaza will help.
Voluntary relocation is simplistic unless the entire 2 million are vetted and Hamas loyalists are removed in one way or another. Speed and secrecy are an imperative. This action will increase anti-Israeli sentiment and activism and in truth that would be justified.
All of this is the deliberate plan of Hamas and their masters in Iran and defeating them will require resolute attitudes and actions to clear the soil of Palestine of their disease while standing firm against activist extremism among the plants on college campus and even among House and Senate members today.
Jordan has already had the experience of putting down a rebellion of Palestinians. The Jordanians don’t think much of the idea of a repeat.
There is nothing rational, just, and merciful in Islam.
It may be that the Israeli military should limit their air assault and take on Gaza Fallujah style. This would definitely cost more in Israeli lives but in my (admittedly limited) observations Hamas was prepared for bombing and are holding up quite well nestled in as they are beneath hospitals and schools.
They probably don’t have enough people to hold the ground they would gain so I’d suggest U N peacekeeping forces as the people THEY would lose could turn world sentiment against Hamas.
Also, clearing the tunnels of terrorists would need to be done before reconstruction in any case.