Moral Clarity

Charles Krauthammer writes with characteristic effrontery on Moral Clarity in Gaza. As is usual in such cases, "moral clarity" is achieved through intellectual opacity and dishonesty. Krauthammer has 20/20 vision for Hamas's very real transgressions but turns a blind eye on Israel's. Krauthammer:

The grievance? It cannot be occupation, military control or settlers. They were all removed in September 2005. There's only one grievance and Hamas is open about it. Israel's very existence.


What a crock. Israel removed its (rather few)settlers from Gaza and withdrew its troops, but continues occupation, expands its settlements in the West Bank and practices death from the skies instead. Israel controls the borders of Gaza so tightly that its residents can neither import the necessities of life or earn a living - except by smuggling. Israel made and broke a truce with Hamas. Grievances there are a plenty.

The Israeli government is convinced, or perhaps pretends to be convinced, that if they just kill enough Palestinians, then the Palestinians will see error of their ways and throw out Hamas, or perhaps, since Hamas has the guns, that Hamas will decide to become peaceful.

I don't blame Israel for retaliation against the provocations of Hamas. I do blame it for its part in creating the conditions that made Hamas inevitable. I also really blame Krauthammer and his fellow neocons for their unceasing efforts to ensnare the United States still further in this mess.

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