September 19, 2007

Recognizing Reality

Israel has declared Hamas-run Gaza as a "hostile entity," a move that allows Israel to consider ending supplies of water and electricity to the region. Hamas objected to the designation, calling it an act of war, which never seemed to bother them while they called for Israel's destruction:

The Israeli government has declared the Gaza Strip a "hostile entity" in response to the continued rocket attacks by Palestinian militants there.

The Israeli decision could lead to Israel cutting off vital water, fuel or electricity supplies to the territory. ...

Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's office said his security cabinet had approved the "hostile entity" classification at a meeting on Wednesday morning.

"Additional restrictions will be imposed on the Hamas regime, limiting the transfer of goods to the Gaza Strip, cutting back fuel and electricity, and restricting the movement of people to and from the strip," a statement said.

The sanctions will be implemented "following a legal review" to examine the legal and humanitarian consequences, the statement added.

The designation seems at least a little overdue. Hamas took Gaza in a coup earlier this year, and has continued to rain rockets on Sderot and other positions in Israel. Under any rational analysis, these are acts of war and hostility towards Israel. The Israelis have shown remarkable patience in waiting this long to recognize the obvious -- that Hamas wants war.

Under those conditions, Israel has no responsibility to maintain economic or even humanitarian ties to Gaza. As long as the rockets continue to fall, Israel has plenty of justification to end electricity and water service to Gaza. In fact, one could argue that Israel's continued supply of these utilities endorses and supports the attack on their own people.

When Gaza goes dark and dry, the Palestinians will understandably get angry with Israel, at least at first. When their anger does not bring the spigots and outlets back to life, they will look to their Hamas overlords for solutions. If Hamas cannot produce any, it will not take long to put them up against the wall and start looking for replacements. That's why Hamas took the ludicrous position that Israel has declared war against them, when Hamas has done nothing but demand their destruction since Hamas' founding.

Israel has a responsibility to protect its own people. If the rockets continue to rain down on Israel from Gaza, let the Gazans and Hamas find their own water and electricity to support their terrorist activities. It's long past time to start playing hardball with Hamas.

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Comments (35)

Posted by NoDonkey | September 19, 2007 9:32 AM

I'm sure their Arab allies will help them out.

Will a case of water bottles and a carton of AAA batteries suffice?

Posted by Joseph Eversole | September 19, 2007 9:34 AM

I would suggest that it is about time. More power to them. Hamas always reminds me of the kid that picks on the other kid routinely. Then when the second kid finally has had enough, and slugs the first kid, the first kid runs off and crys to the teacher about how mean and unfair the second kid is. I think Hamas just needs a punch in the nose.

Posted by gregdn | September 19, 2007 9:57 AM

Unfortunately I don't share your optimism that Gaza residents will blame Hamas; after all they voted these guys in.

Posted by Bob Mc | September 19, 2007 9:58 AM

Apparently, Iran has decided to end all the rife in the Mid-East:

Iran-US-Spokesman
Supporters of the Zionist regime will receive their response during the world Qods Day's rallies, government spokesman, Gholam-Hossein Elham, said Wednesday.

The spokesman made the remarks during his weekly press conference while commenting on the current visit to the occupied Palestine of the US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.

Qods Day is held each year on the last Friday of Muslims fasting month of Ramadan after it was nominated by the late Founder of the Islamic Republic, Imam Khomeini, as a day to voice the protest of the Islamic Ummah against the Zionists.

The day falls on October 12 this year.

"The US loses all opportunities to cooperate with regional and other world states by trying to support a regime (the Zionist regime) which is now at its weakest political and social position," Elham said.

He warned that Washington's insistence on its wrong policies and arrogant approaches would have no result "but further political disgrace" for itself.

Referring to the approaching World Qods Day, the spokesman stressed, "Supporters of the Zionist regime will definitely receive the final response for their support on that day."

http://www2.irna.ir/en/news/view/menu-236/0709199796134418.htm

Posted by coldwarrior415 | September 19, 2007 10:24 AM

The Palestinians obtained national autonomy, not the best of all worlds, but a lot more than they had 20 or 30 years ago, and the West poured in billions to enable them to establish a beachhead of a nation hoping the Palestinians would rise to the occasion and engage in real statecraft. Well, what have the Palestinians allowed or actively encouraged in their newly found autonomy?

Israel is indeed looking at reality.

Palestine is a "neo-nation state" and has performed poorly on all counts. That they stupidly cling to the hope of destroying Israel, that they stupidly allowed an electoral opportunity turn to ka-ka by chosing Hamas over the PLO, sort of the worst or best of two evils, depending on one's perspective, is entirely in their court.

They have proven that the Palestinians for the most part do not want national sovereignty and to become a real bona-fide nation state. They alone are responsible for the actions of their citizens, and for the encouragement of hostilities, especially after they have been given the benefit of the doubt for decades.

If Palestine wants to be a peaceful nation, they have to behave like a peaceful nation. If they wish to remain belligerent then let them pay the price of belligerency. That they allow foreign belligerents into their midst and encourage and support the same isn't Israel's fault, not in the least. They made their bed, let them lie in it, or die in it, until they grow the stones to do otherwise.

I say this as one who has and had many many Palestinian friends here and abroad over the years, but comes away each time, based upon the words and actions of these same Palestinians, with a deep rooted belief that Palestine and its people simply are incapable of rising out of their self-imposed victimhood and refusal to take responsibility for their own actions.

Posted by FedUp | September 19, 2007 11:01 AM

There is never going to be a workable solution between Palestine and Israel. If Hamas poking the tiger, they shouldn't be surprised when they get bitten. Israel has a duty to protect itself and I think that serious action is long overdue!

Posted by LouisianaLightning | September 19, 2007 11:10 AM

Doesn't Hamas and the 'Palestinians' want Israel to cease to exist?

Israel, by cutting off all utilities, would let them see what it would be like.

Win-Win!

Posted by Nate | September 19, 2007 11:19 AM

Hamas is like a rabid dog, almost literally biting the hands that feeds it. They can't be reasoned with, they can't be cured, and they are too dangerous to live with. Sadly, there is but one thing to do with a rabid dog.

Posted by exhelodrvr | September 19, 2007 11:38 AM

"Sadly, there is but one thing to do with a rabid dog."

But this one wouldn't make me cry, like I did with "Old Yeller."

Posted by naftali | September 19, 2007 11:46 AM

Everything said so far is I believe is correct, but I'll make a different prediction on the future.

1. Since the UN now recognizes terrorist organizations as legitimate entities--the PLO, Hezbollah, the UN and it's tyrannical supporters (that means you, Europe), will double up its efforts to condemn Israel.

2. Since Hamas has only one working play in its playbook (p.1--kill anyone in our way), the Palestinians angry with Hamas will have a brief moment of expressed dissatisfaction before they are killed.

3. Hamas will accelerate its attempts to take over the West Bank by fighting openly with Fatah (see playbook) and thereby BECOME the true representative of the Palestinian people, thereby by making Israel's action a declaration of hostility to ALL of the Palestinian people.

4. In the meantime Washington will pressure Israel to relent somewhat (although the State Dept. spokesperson will reiterate the US opposition to terrorism) which means relent completely and provide them with electricity and water and maybe even a few bombs and guns just to continue its standing as an honest broker in the middle east.

5. General rule: when analyzing the ME, no amount of cynicism is too much.

Posted by FedUp | September 19, 2007 1:25 PM

Doesn't it occur to the forces of E-VIL that no matter what they do, they haven't been able to wipe Israel off the map? My money is on Israel... let the games begin!

Posted by NahnCee | September 19, 2007 1:26 PM

I say this as one who has and had many many Palestinian friends here and abroad over the years, but comes away each time, based upon the words and actions of these same Palestinians, with a deep rooted belief that Palestine and its people simply are incapable of rising out of their self-imposed victimhood and refusal to take responsibility for their own actions.

Out of idle curiosity, why would one want to be friends with any of these beings? As a friend or a peer, what would they bring to the table?

Posted by coldwarrior415 | September 19, 2007 1:44 PM

NahnCee,

I spent a good deal of time in that part of the world, and met, dealt with, and lived among the unwashed heathen, and got to know many of their family members here in the States along the way, as well. Friendships developed as interaction increased. Just human nature on my part, I guess.

What did they bring to the table? The same as I brought...a chance to learn about them, try to understand them, and figure out what their individual and national mindset was or was not, as they learned of me, I would hope.

Unfortuantely, for most, they seemed to embrace their victimhood more than they seemed to want to embrace inclusion into the rest of the world.

Posted by Bob Mc | September 19, 2007 1:52 PM

"Unfortuantely, for most, they seemed to embrace their victimhood more than they seemed to want to embrace inclusion into the rest of the world."

Sorry, were you talking about Palestinians or the descendants of American slaves?

BTW, I think your statement is correct, and can apply to either culture.

Posted by unclesmrgol | September 19, 2007 2:52 PM

Coldwarrior said

I say this as one who has and had many many Palestinian friends here and abroad over the years, but comes away each time, based upon the words and actions of these same Palestinians, with a deep rooted belief that Palestine and its people simply are incapable of rising out of their self-imposed victimhood and refusal to take responsibility for their own actions.

I have only one thing to say in response: Next year in Jerusalem!

The whole area is filled with victims victimizing victims.

Posted by Carol Herman | September 19, 2007 3:10 PM

Just because it looks like a "slow" game, don't get bored.

I learned this when I learned baseball wasn't just about watching the grass grow.

What's been "sprung," even though there's a media black out in Israel; is that something big happened.

Something that set the iranians, for sure; syria, most likely. And, maybe even the Saud's ... back a pretty penny or two.

Because Israel decided to let the games play out.

This incuded iran shouting it would "nuke" Israel. Probably thinking it wasn't "empty promises."

But things went wrong.

Quite.

Quite a difference a day makes. Doesn't it?

You've probably learned by now that there was a "work accident" when the iranian supplied missiles were getting fitted with chemical warheads. Because they blew up. But not at the designated target!

Oh, and those WMD's that no one could find? But were easily transported into syria? You won't find them anymore, either.

And, the russians? Oh, they pocketed lots of money for the "latest" in "NO JAM" technology. That was a bust.

Putin's richer. And, he doesn't give refunds.

While over in Baghdad, Condi has to digest what happened on the street; as Ambassador Crocker's convoy was going from the airport. To his residence.

Wow. Is Maliki MAD.

Oh, and the shi'a are still not on board the "surge" express. WHich is what's really pissing off Maliki; because the sunnis "switched sides." ANd, they're gonna be players.

The USA is cleansing their neighborhoods of the terrorists. And, training sunni Iraqis for the army and police.

Just to give you a reference point on what has Maliki all in a dither.

Plans in damascus? Didn't work out.

While, yes, there's a dead (by car bomb) Lebanese gentlemen who was anti-syria.

No. We don't see the rope. But Assad is still in hot water for "that bomb" that took out Hariri.

And, yet?

I guess we're looking at what's left of the arab's "defense?"

Plus, you don't see it. But I practically smell that it's true. That the Israelis, letting the Al-Hamed reach port ... and deliver the goods; must have had a pretty good handle on the banking "as well."

Where'd the loot go?

Isn't that what got OJ into trouble, too?

Must be in the stars.

The way things, after insulting Olmert for more than a year; tends to be panning out.

NOT TALKING, by the way, works for me, since the Al-Hamed disappeared. And, I'd bet the BILLIONS that went into this recent nuke endeavor, went up in smoke.

Or? Maybe, the good guys reached for the payoff?

Olmert, you've got to give him credit, is great at the slow, s-l-o-w game. Patience of a saint. Is he.

Posted by naftali | September 19, 2007 3:54 PM

Unclesmrgol,

Then following your logic, that is, copying your clear and flawless logic, I have only one thing to say in response to you:

I hate green eggs and ham, Sam I Am.

Just wipes away all that's vague like a good pair of windshield wipers, doesn't it?

Posted by unclesmrgol | September 19, 2007 5:15 PM

naftali,

I see you are ready for Round 2.

Posted by unclesmrgol | September 19, 2007 5:45 PM

Or, as we say on Talk Like a Pirate Day, Avast, Cap'n! Look what just crawled out 't bunghole!

Posted by Mikey NTH | September 19, 2007 5:56 PM

Why should the Israelis provide life-support to those who wish their deaths? Every penny the Palestinians have to spend on supporting themselves is one penny they can'r spend killing Israelis.

As another said: They made their bed, now they can lie - or die - in it.

Posted by naftali | September 19, 2007 6:14 PM

Unclesmrgol,

How do you type in bold? The best I can do is type in caps. That, and write coherently. And how do you froth at the mouth like you've just eaten a can of shaving cream? The best I can do is use irony that reveals the creepiness of your heart.

Posted by Fight4TheRight | September 19, 2007 6:43 PM

Just another one of the 2,485 reasons why Israel needs to play hard ball with EVERY one of its "neighbors":

http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2007/09/iransyria-chemi.html

Posted by unclesmrgol | September 19, 2007 7:02 PM

naftali,

To type in bold, surround your text with <b>these html tags</b>

To blockquote your text,

<blockquote>these tags</blockquote>

To type in italics, surround your text with <i>these html tags</i>

Not all html tags are usable -- the Captain's software filters out most (with good reason).

And it's heavy whippin' cream. I gargle with it every mornin' prior t' me snarlin' contest with t' dog.

Posted by southdakotaboy | September 19, 2007 7:34 PM

I would not count on the EU coming to the rescue of Hamas. Notice that the EU has been rather silent on the whole bombing thing. There is a rising tide of anti muslim backlash building in Europe and after a watching Hamas pound Israel for a while sympathy might be in short supply.
This is not to say that after a few weeks the EU will start to put pressure on Israel. I think that the EU will be willing to let this be done on an slowly increasing level until the Pals. get the message.

Posted by naftali | September 19, 2007 7:41 PM

Unclesmrgol,

I see. And I see again. Is there any cutting and pasting with blockquotes, or do you just have to retype?

Posted by owl2 | September 19, 2007 7:42 PM

If the rockets continue to rain down on Israel from Gaza, let the Gazans and Hamas find their own water and electricity to support their terrorist activities. It's long past time...

Amen. It was long past even before 2000.

Posted by unclesmrgol | September 19, 2007 10:04 PM

naftali,

Build the two blockquote tags, and then cut/paste your text into the middle -- at least that's how I do it. The Captain's software has a bug with blockquotes (as you've probably seen from his own posts), but there is a trick to fixing it. If you put two paragraphs into a blockquote, and leave a line in between, only the first paragraph gets the blockquote style. In order to fix this, you need to use one more tag I'm going to give you, the <p> tag. Rather than putting blank lines between each paragraph, start each paragraph with a <p> tag, and end with a </p> tag. Immediately begin the next paragraph without spaces with a p-tag, so you see </p><p>. Of course, the last paragraph in the blockquote will end only in </p>

Example 1, showing the bug when you don't use p-tags:

This is a paragraph in the blockquote.

This is another paragraph in the blockquote, even though it doesn't look like it is.

Example 2, using p-tags:

This is a paragraph in the blockquote.

This is another paragraph in the blockquote, and does look like it is.

To check that you've done it right, use the preview button.

Linking to a website example: <a target="new" href="http://www.jpost.com/">The Jerusalem Post</a>

For real:The Jerusalem Post

The "href" is the website you want to hyperlink to. The "target" attribute causes the referenced site to open in a new window or tab. Using "target" is a polite way of not making the Captain's page go away on the browser when a person clicks the link. They can read your referenced article and keep your comment displayed at the same time.

I've just given you everything I know about nifty posting on the Captain's site. Forgive me, all, for going off-topic.

Posted by unclesmrgol | September 19, 2007 10:10 PM

naftali,

Build the two blockquote tags, and then cut/paste your text into the middle -- at least that's how I do it. The Captain's software has a bug with blockquotes (as you've probably seen from his own posts), but there is a trick to fixing it. If you put two paragraphs into a blockquote, and leave a line in between, only the first paragraph gets the blockquote style. In order to fix this, you need to use one more tag I'm going to give you, the <p> tag. Rather than leaving blank lines between each paragraph, fix the text by starting each paragraph with a <p> tag, and end with a </p> tag. Immediately begin the next paragraph without spaces with a p-tag, so you see </p><p>. Of course, the last paragraph in the blockquote will end only in </p>

Example 1, showing the bug when you don't use p-tags:

This is a paragraph in the blockquote.

This is another paragraph in the blockquote, even though it doesn't look like it is.

Example 2, using p-tags:

This is a paragraph in the blockquote.

This is another paragraph in the blockquote, and does look like it is.

To check that you've done it right, use the preview button.

Linking to a website example: <a target="new" href="http://www.jpost.com/">The Jerusalem Post</a>

For real:The Jerusalem Post

The "href" is the website you want to hyperlink to. The "target" attribute causes the referenced site to open in a new window or tab. Using "target" is a polite way of not making the Captain's page go away on the browser when a person clicks the link. They can read your referenced article and keep your comment displayed at the same time.

I've just given you everything I know about nifty posting on the Captain's site. Forgive me, all, for going off-topic.

Posted by Rose | September 19, 2007 11:12 PM

August '06, Bill Cloud

Obadiah and Genesis 6 - "violence" is from original word "HAMAS", Strongs #2555

Obadiah - Chapter 1

Oba 1:1 ¶ The vision of Obadiah. Thus saith the Lord GOD concerning Edom; We have heard a rumour from the LORD, and an ambassador is sent among the heathen, Arise ye, and let us rise up against her in battle.
Oba 1:2 Behold, I have made thee small among the heathen: thou art greatly despised.
Oba 1:3 The pride of thine heart hath deceived thee, thou that dwellest in the clefts of the rock, whose habitation [is] high; that saith in his heart, Who shall bring me down to the ground?
Oba 1:4 Though thou exalt [thyself] as the eagle, and though thou set thy nest among the stars, thence will I bring thee down, saith the LORD.
Oba 1:5 ¶ If thieves came to thee, if robbers by night, (how art thou cut off!) would they not have stolen till they had enough? if the grapegatherers came to thee, would they not leave [some] grapes?
Oba 1:6 How are [the things] of Esau searched out! [how] are his hidden things sought up!
Oba 1:7 All the men of thy confederacy have brought thee [even] to the border: the men that were at peace with thee have deceived thee, [and] prevailed against thee; [they that eat] thy bread have laid a wound under thee: [there is] none understanding in him.
Oba 1:8 Shall I not in that day, saith the LORD, even destroy the wise [men] out of Edom, and understanding out of the mount of Esau?
Oba 1:9 And thy mighty [men], O Teman, shall be dismayed, to the end that every one of the mount of Esau may be cut off by slaughter.
Oba 1:10 ¶ For [thy] violence against thy brother Jacob shame shall cover thee, and thou shalt be cut off for ever.
Oba 1:11 In the day that thou stoodest on the other side, in the day that the strangers carried away captive his forces, and foreigners entered into his gates, and cast lots upon Jerusalem, even thou [wast] as one of them.
Oba 1:12 But thou shouldest not have looked on the day of thy brother in the day that he became a stranger; neither shouldest thou have rejoiced over the children of Judah in the day of their destruction; neither shouldest thou have spoken proudly in the day of distress.
Oba 1:13 Thou shouldest not have entered into the gate of my people in the day of their calamity; yea, thou shouldest not have looked on their affliction in the day of their calamity, nor have laid [hands] on their substance in the day of their calamity;
Oba 1:14 Neither shouldest thou have stood in the crossway, to cut off those of his that did escape; neither shouldest thou have delivered up those of his that did remain in the day of distress.
Oba 1:15 ¶ For the day of the LORD [is] near upon all the heathen: as thou hast done, it shall be done unto thee: thy reward shall return upon thine own head.
Oba 1:16 For as ye have drunk upon my holy mountain, [so] shall all the heathen drink continually, yea, they shall drink, and they shall swallow down, and they shall be as though they had not been.
Oba 1:17 But upon mount Zion shall be deliverance, and there shall be holiness; and the house of Jacob shall possess their possessions.
Oba 1:18 And the house of Jacob shall be a fire, and the house of Joseph a flame, and the house of Esau for stubble, and they shall kindle in them, and devour them; and there shall not be [any] remaining of the house of Esau; for the LORD hath spoken [it].
Oba 1:19 ¶ And [they of] the south shall possess the mount of Esau; and [they of] the plain the Philistines: and they shall possess the fields of Ephraim, and the fields of Samaria: and Benjamin [shall possess] Gilead.
Oba 1:20 And the captivity of this host of the children of Israel [shall possess] that of the Canaanites, [even] unto Zarephath; and the captivity of Jerusalem, which [is] in Sepharad, shall possess the cities of the south.
Oba 1:21 And saviours shall come up on mount Zion to judge the mount of Esau; and the kingdom shall be the LORD'S.


Also from Obadiah 10 - "shame" Strong's Concordance #0955 : fem. "buwshah" - root #0954 : masc. "buwsh" {boosh}
- derives from the root word for "bush"

Posted by naftali | September 19, 2007 11:45 PM

Rose:

Just clarify this, please. Are you saying that the English word for 'bush' comes from the Hebrew word for 'shame'?

If so, and if you're not just playing around, then that's a bit of a stretch. Although the Biblical Hebrew for 'violence' is indeed 'hamas'. And that's not a stretch at all.

Or, I could be missing your point completely. But it's clear you worked really hard to make it, so if you could just say it again in so many words, please. I'm genuinely interested.

Posted by unclesmrgol | September 20, 2007 12:33 AM

naftali,

Build the two blockquote tags, and then cut/paste your text into the middle -- at least that's how I do it. The Captain's software has a bug with blockquotes (as you've probably seen from his own posts), but there is a trick to fixing it. If you put two paragraphs into a blockquote, and leave a line in between, only the first paragraph gets the blockquote style. In order to fix this, you need to use one more tag I'm going to give you, the <p> tag. Rather than leaving blank lines between each paragraph, fix the text by starting each paragraph with a <p> tag, and end with a </p> tag. Immediately begin the next paragraph without spaces with a p-tag, so you see </p><p>. Of course, the last paragraph in the blockquote will end only in </p>

Example 1, showing the bug when you don't use p-tags:

This is a paragraph in the blockquote.

This is another paragraph in the blockquote, even though it doesn't look like it is.

Example 2, using p-tags:

This is a paragraph in the blockquote.

This is another paragraph in the blockquote, and does look like it is.

Check that you've done it right via the preview button.

Linking to a website example: <a target="new" href="http://www.jpost.com/">The Jerusalem Post</a>

For real:The Jerusalem Post

"href" is the website you want to hyperlink to. "target" causes the referenced site to open in a new window or tab, a polite way of not making the Captain's page go away on the browser when a person clicks the link. They can read your referenced article and keep your comment displayed at the same time.

Posted by BearOfNH | September 20, 2007 5:56 AM

Wow. All along I thought Olmert was Mr. Milquetoast, with no stomach for conflict. Did he undergo some sudden conversion recently, or have I just been dead wrong from the start?

Posted by dave | September 20, 2007 7:44 AM

unclesmrgol:
You tell other people your html secrets, but you would not tell me. Your mean.

Posted by unclesmrgol | September 20, 2007 9:41 AM

dave,

Sorry, I had even more secrets (like how to overcome the Captain's "blockquote" site errors, and how to do hyperlinks that don't destroy your view of CQ, but it got sent to the Captain's spam bin. Hopefully the Captain reviews and posts it.

Posted by Xanthippas | September 20, 2007 2:47 PM

As long as the rockets continue to fall, Israel has plenty of justification to end electricity and water service to Gaza. In fact, one could argue that Israel's continued supply of these utilities endorses and supports the attack on their own people.

No they don't, because collective punishment is illegal under international law. And also, it's wrong.

When Gaza goes dark and dry, the Palestinians will understandably get angry with Israel, at least at first. When their anger does not bring the spigots and outlets back to life, they will look to their Hamas overlords for solutions. If Hamas cannot produce any, it will not take long to put them up against the wall and start looking for replacements.

There is absolutely no reason to think that. More likely they will continue to fire rockets into Israel, and have no choice but to support the "overlords" who are fighting Israel, the nation that's perpetuating their misery.

It's long past time to start playing hardball with Hamas.

Is there ever another answer with people who think like you?

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