Sunday, September 17, 2006

The Conundrum, Part 2

Is it any surprise that the earlier reports of an imminent deal on the release of Gilad Shalit was wrong? I wasn't surprised in the slightest. There has been absolutely no movement on any such deal, and the Palestinians appear resolved to not release Shalit unless Israel releases hundreds of prisoners. Israel refuses to do that, although the Egyptians appear willing to try and find a way to mask any Israeli prisoner release so the Israelis can get cover domesticially on a politically, tactically, and strategically unacceptable move.

Statements from Saudi muftis claiming that jihad is god's will aren't going to make friends or improve interfaith dialogue. That comes on the heels of Pope Benedict's speech earlier this week that decried the use of violence to spread religion and how spreading religion at the point of the sword is antithetical to god's nature.

Hizbullah wants a victory rally in Beirut. Among the rubble and debris from their disasterous war against Israel, where Hizbullah lost territory, manpower, and the doctrine that their thousands of missiles would result in Israel's reluctance to deal harshly with Hizbullah in Lebanon. I sense much irony here.

The Palestinians continue to fire rockets at Israel. Yet, they're supposed to be Israel's partner for peace. Again, much irony here.

118 countries at the nonaligned movement summit in Havana Cuba condemned Israel's attacks on Lebanon. There was no denunciation of Hizbullah, its launching of thousands of rockets at cities for the express purpose of killing civilians, or initiating a war against Israel from Lebanon. That speaks volumes over what these countries think of Israel, the right of self-defense, and dealing with terrorism.

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