This is a letter to the editor I published at the Daily Advance. Posted here for posterity, since they have no online archive:
Imagine if Norfolk were to hold Elizabeth City responsible for a homicide committed against one of its citizens by someone from Sawyer Town. Norfolk simultaneously demands EC crack down on Sawyer Town’s organized crime and destroys the police station with air strikes from the Navy Base to show it means business.
Unsatisfied with the now crippled EC Law Enforcement’s slow response, Norfolk blows up the Electric and Water Plants in order to increase pressure on Elizabeth City government to do something about Sawyer Town. Strangely enough, Elizabeth City, now bereft of electricity, water, and law enforcement, falls into anarchy and Sawyer Town’s organized crime syndicate begins to thrive in a community where the local government has been completely stripped of all its power.
This has been Israel’s policy towards Palestine for the last 15 years, and now we are seeing the same policy being implemented against Lebanon, where 300 civilians have died and a half-million people have been displaced. In one week, Israel has transformed Lebanon from a burgeoning vacation spot into a disaster area, a humanitarian crisis. Israel has every right to defend itself, but as the most powerful military force in the Middle East, Israel also has the responsibility to keep that use of force proportionate and judicious.
Israel must stop targeting civilian infrastructures and begin working with the communities in neighboring governments who want peace. Such people exist in Lebanon, but will never be heard over the explosions and outrage over civilian casualties. Israel’s present strategy hasn’t worked for decades. It has never worked. As Benjamin Franklin said, “The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.” why does Israel think things will be different this time?