A Rough Patch

August 3, 2006 - 8:10 PM by

It’s been a very tough and tragic few days in northern Israel. Many people, including Melly, are feeling the pressure.

As expected, yesterday was a difficult day. Over 200 rockets were fired on northern Israel (210-230 according to different counts – it’s difficult to know for sure as some land in open areas). One person died, one in critical condition and over a 100 people were wounded. There was massive damage to houses, buildings and commercial areas. And more fires.

My cousin, two years younger than me and a father of two, was drafted for reserves. Another cousin who volunteered for relief in shelters in Tzfat (Safed) had a close encounter. A rocket fell 20 metres (yards) from her. Luckily, she’s fine, “only” with anxiety attack. I think they had time to dodge. It’s crazy.

We get more and more information of how Hezbollah is firing the rockets from inside houses and villages, pictures from the IDF and Lebanese bloggers are only some of those claiming it (and by the way, a leaflet from the IDF saying ‘leave or die’ is really just marginally better IMHO).

So I’m thinking, depressed, there is no way to beat this kind of fighting which is what most world leaders seem to want (even if they say something else, their actions, or lack there of, speak volumes). They want Israel to beat Hezbolla for them, but at what cost? Israelis and Lebanese are the ones paying the price daily.

Besides, do I want to be responsible for killing a man’s baby even if the man is of Hezbolla? Even if he just used the rocket launcher near his baby’s crib to fire Katyusha rockets on me?

How do we handle that? Do I want another Qana? Are human life algebra? Do I want another rocket launched on me? How much is one Israeli life worth? How much is my life worth? How much are the 100 Iraqi civilians dead a day worth? How much is one American soldier worth? Or an Arab-Israeli child? A Lebanese grandma? A Palestinian baby? A Palestinian suicide-bomber? A French girl? An African family?

How much would you pay to continue living in the comfort you’re used to? $10,000?
How much would you pay to continue living? One person’s life?
How much would you pay for your kids to continue living? One person’s kids?

Sorry, I’m a bit depressed because I had high hopes from the security council yesterday. I was really hoping they would call for a ceasefire. Then I heard they’re not planning to convene again before Monday or Tuesday. To what end I ask?

Sirens, explosions, booms… You know my routine by now… Shaking hands, racing heart, sick to my stomach… Five dead just from today’s latest round

Tags: • Category: A New Reality 

Comments

2 Comments on A Rough Patch

  1. pip on Fri, Aug 4th 2006 12:28 AM

    2. Sounds like there could be something happening soon – a ceasefire?

    T. Blair did his (news briefing) speech today, normally I can not abide the man at the best of times, but I do agree with how he has handled the media and his stance on the topic Israel.

    http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/5242008.stm

    Sky news just now, mentioned there could be some sort of breakthrough within a couple of days, or even tomorrow……could it be a ceasefire?

    I hope tomorrow will be a better day for you and your family, and all in Israel.

    x

    [stay safe]

  2. David on Sun, Aug 6th 2006 6:02 PM

    3. There is no such thing as an “innocent civilian”. Wars are not fought between armies but between nations. While the Lebanon mix is asymmetrical, the normal equation is in place. This happened in Angola, Afghanistan and now in Lebanon.

    There is no degree of importance between a soldier or a civilian. The tactic of terror was well used by the allies during WW2. It is imperative to destroy the enemy pyschologically. The bombing of civilian targets was an imperative.

    Hezballah can be defeated, it is a matter of will. The Bush Administration is uncertain [just look how Afghanistan has been messed up] and Olmert’s resolve to stand ground is questionable. It is unfortunate that Sharon is not in the PM seat. He is the last of the tough Israeli breed that built the State.

    If Israel is perceived to have lost this war, it is going to be a major blow in the fight against militant Islam.

    It is bad enough that the “Just War Theory” is applied as opposed to the “Self-Defense Doctrine” of WW2.

    Had the current way been accepted in WW2, Germany would not have been vanquished.

    A free nation has to do whatever is in its rational self-interest and emotions are irrelevant. The sole reason for government is the protection of individual rights. If a government cannot or does not adequately protect, then there really is no point in its existence.

    I predict that if a ceasefire currently being mooted is enforced, the Olmert government will fall in the months following and the Likud will see a resurgence.

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