A Suicidal Mistake?

Suicide Bombing Stokes Israel-Hamas Tensions

The weekend attack on Israel is the first to occur since Palestine elected the Hamas government. Sadly, their reaction (as reported above and elsewhere) maybe the first mistake of that fledgling administration. Despite the rhetoric and their idealogical stance against those who occupy their land, they have so far resisted any overtly agressive actions. They were not behind this attack, but they have done themselves no favours by supporting it. If the Palestinian people are forced to resort to violence, it should be defensive - anything else effectively ruins the chances for any kind of diplomacy.

Israel of course will react far beyond the accepted notion of "tit-for-tat" - for every casualty they suffer they will seek to slaughter many in return. Whereas the wrongness of this would be expected to generate sympathy for the Palestinian cause, Hamas' refusal to condemn the event that triggers this response will be seen as antagonism in an era when the tactics of terrorism are strictly reserved for existing superpowers. Unlike Al Qeada, Hamas are not global outlaws. Defending their borders and striving to reclaim occupied lands is a legitimate part of their mandate - supporting acts of agression beyond that remit will simply alienate them further on the world stage.

In the US some say "Neocons are Toast" as the miliary become the new disaffected. Pop star Pink has a go at Dubya and there's more info on Neil Young's forthcoming "Living With War" protest album. For a nifty toon, check out "It's A Secret".

Later.