Gaza

It seems that all peace efforts are doomed to failure and that Gaza will continue to be attacked. I cannot understand why Israel does not show some sort of mercy if not magnanimity.

The Palestinians are defeated and Israel will continue to be dominant for the foreseeable future. The Palestinians have had to suffer exclusion from their original homeland and occupation and victor settlement on the West Bank.

The Gaza strip is blockaded by both Israel and Egypt and this is causing misery for the Palestinians that live there. The inhabitants of Gaza probably feel that they have little to live for. In reality they are almost powerless to improve their living conditions. It is no wonder that there is resentment and resistance.

The Palestinians are behaving in exactly the same way as any other country would behave. They are trying to repel their adversaries as best they can.

During the second Word War, France was invaded by a superior military power and the Maquis used unconventional war to try and defend their nation. Did that make the Maquis terrorists? In the eyes of the invaders - yes. In the eyes of the British and the French it made them heroes.

Of course, it is wrong for Hamas to fire missiles into to Israel to try to kill civilians. However, Israel can defend itself quite well against such attacks. If it is wrong for Hamas to fire missiles into Israel then it is equally as wrong for Israel to counter attack in such a disproportionate manner, so as to kill upwards of a thousand Palestinian civilians.

Israel claims the moral high ground but surely it is time for it to relent and allow the Palestinians to live in some form of dignity and peace.

It is time to lift the blockade of Gaza and negotiate a peace settlement. It is time to withdraw the troops from the West Bank and negotiate further peace. Someone must break the cycle of attack and counterattack and revenge killings. What is wrong with the most powerful combatant doing this? Their security is guaranteed but not their peace of mind.

Unfortunately, the status quo is set to continue and the Palestinians will suffer more and more.