The latest flare-up of fighting on the Gaza-Israel front has generated the usual round of statements and bravado on both sides, but among the predictability of developments are also some important new elements.
Three of these are in the Arab world, which is not surprising, given the historic changes taking place across the region. The responses from Israelis and the U.S. government, on the other hand, appear depressingly consistent with Zionism’s history of reliance on military force as the main instrument of dealing with Palestinians and Arabs, and Washington’s structurally pro-Israel position in the conflict. The first and most important thing to say about the rekindled killing across the Israel-Gaza border is its sheer futility and waste. Neither side has the ability to completely wipe out the other, for that is what would be required to end this conflict for good. That will not happen, as both sides have proven over the past 35 years or so – since Hamas’ emergence in Palestine– that they are willing and able to keep fighting, despite the tremendous cost to their people.
Read more: http://www.dailystar.com.lb/Opinion/Columnist/2012/Nov-17/195316-whats-new-in-the-gaza-israel-battle.ashx#ixzz2CQpLBxK2