Every military participant with half a brain on either side must know that this conflict will never be settled with weapons. The only way to settle it is politically, and one has to wonder whether the political will exists in sufficient quantity on either or both sides for that to happen.
What's going on now is an attempt by both parties to "change reality on the ground." Why? Because there are two political dates looming: Jan. 20 when Barack Obama is inaugurated and Feb. 10 when Israel holds general elections.
Politically, this is about what Hillary Clinton will inherit as secretary of state and whether Israeli voters will be willing to change leaders during an armed conflict. I haven't read much political analysis from the Palestinian/Hamas point of view, but I can only think their political aim is to raise international ire against Israel's military intervention.
It makes it hard to belieive that politics is about the art of the possible, doesn't it?
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BenL
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When you can transform the war and violence in yourself, then you can truly begin to help others find peace. Thich Nhat Hanh
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