The intractable dispute between Palestinians and Israelis has followed an all too predictable pattern over the many years of grim conflict.
Palestinian grievances simmer away until tensions boil over and violence and death is the inevitable result. Each time I have found my way to Jerusalem, the West Bank or Gaza, or some times all three, the violence follows a similar cycle just differing in its intensity. Because Israel possesses the overwhelming force it always prevails, in truth barely shaken. But not this time. More than 500 Israelis dead, appalling atrocities, dozens taken hostage and areas of southern Israel under the albeit temporary, control of Hamas — designated a terror group by much of the West.
It is unthinkable that they should be able to do that. Israel prides itself on its intelligence services. It has pervasive monitoring of what is going on in Gaza particularly. But clearly not pervasive enough.
There will have to be a day of reckoning for Israel’s military and intelligence leadership
It is unfathomable that Israel’s security services did not get wind of an operation on this scale that must have been months, if not years, in the making. Once the military retaliation is done there will have to be a day of reckoning for Israel’s military and intelligence leadership. The country will demand it. And what about Prime Minister Netanyahu? Will there also be a day of reckoning for him and his Right-wing government? Security is their thing after all. It is what they are about. Well they have failed this time. So many questions — about putting the whole issue of Gaza on the back burner. About the settlement policy and much more that contributes to the tensions.
And about peace and the pursuit of it? Well, for a decade there has been lip service paid to that by both the Israelis and the Americans. Peace is dead in the water right now. It is a long, long way back from this.
