In the aftermath of the Gaza war of 2009, revelations about needless killings are multiplying daily. In many instances, these killings, committed by Israeli Defense Forces, seem to be committed against innocent people – non-combatants who’s only reason for suffering is that they are Palestinian and they live in Gaza. While these crimes against humanity are inexcusable in their own right, they are compounded by the unconditional support given in the U.S. to the Israeli government. If this sort of unbridled support were offered to the Palestinian cause, it would be branded as an act of terrorism but it is the Israeli government committing these crimes so it’s no harm no foul in America. Perhaps one of the most brazen examples of this form of home grown "terrorism" was committed recently by Representative Shelley Berkley (D-NV).
Earlier this month, the Jerusalem Post noted that Congresswoman Berkley attempted to restrict funds slated for humanitarian support in Gaza by conditioning the support on the release of Gilad Schalit, an IDF soldier held by Hamas. Given that the victims of the Gaza conflict have no control over the actions of Hamas, Representative Berkley’s actions are tantamount to terrorist extortion.
The gross violations of human rights against the Palestinian people stemming from just the Gaza war earlier this year is growing. Looking at recent accounts, as chronicled in Global Investment Watch’s Human Rights Today over the last few weeks, to wit:
* The Israeli newspaper, Haaretz reports that IDF soldiers were given rules of engagement that included firing upon Palestinian rescuers.
* The Jerusalem Post reported that Israeli troops used small children as human shields.
* Haaretz reported that Palestinian women and children were sot down by IDF snipers after being ordered from their homes.
* Amnesty International reported the use of white phosphorous artillery shells in violation of the Geneva Conventions.
* Inter Press Service reports that water and sewer infrastructure were targeted for destruction, causing extreme hardship for Palestinians who remain virtual prisoners within Gaza.
In the United State of America, support for Israel is legion. Few if any Congressional representatives have the courage to publicly stand up to Israel. The reasons are many but much of the blame lies in the strong lobbying by pro-Israel supporters led by the infamous American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC). This organization has been extraordinarily effective in advocating for all forms of support for the state of Israel, regardless of the consequences to its enemies, real or perceived. As we have seen over the last eight years, this blind support has exacted a price on the legitimacy of the U.S., who has blindly adhered to the pro-Israel lobby, diminishing the country’s reputation and weakened the security of America and the rest of the world as a result.
Given that practically everybody in a position of power in Washington at least publicly (if not privately) supports a blind obedience to Israel, casting a "terrorist" net over Israel’s supporters would catch a lot of fish, so to speak. Moreover, it would be a bit unfair to malign the entire country of Israel with such a label given the range of views within both Israel and in the U.S. as it relates to that Middle East democracy.
That said, politicians in the U.S. who take a rabid dog approach to the problems in Israel and the Palestinian territories by blaming Palestinians for the conflict do a great disservice to solving the problem and, in my view, contribute to the perpetuation of inhumanity within the region. Reckless and inhumane interference with humanitarian aid to innocent people cannot be condoned and should be labeled as what it is: terrorism.
Shelley Berkley, there is a cell at Guantanamo Bay with your name on it. Sort of a kennel if you get my drift.