Viva la Paz

The war in Gaza has gone on now for over two weeks, so I thought it was time to add my voice to the very loud cacophany of bloggers and op-ed columnists.

First, I think you might be interested to know how Argentina feels about the situation. Last week in Rosario, Facundo's neighborhood was literally covered in posters calling for an end to the violence in Gaza. Graffitied slogans of "VIVA PALESTINA" and the Arabic translation were prominent throghout the city. There was also a demonstration at the Israeli embassy in Buenos Aires. So, as expected, the opinion of (leftist) Argentina is largely pro-Palestinian.

The opinion of Argentinean pirates, however, is slightly more nuanced.

I tried to write a blog post, but the more I write, the more my jumbled my ideas become. Instead, I'll post here the letter I wrote today to Representative Himes. It doesn't even come close to showing my thought process on the issue, but (I hope) it gets across my basic opinion.

Dear Representative Himes,

I am writing to you about my opinions on the current Israel-Gaza crisis. I am a huge supporter of Israel and other Jewish causes – in high school I began a Jewish youth group in Westport, and in March 2007 I attended the AIPAC Policy Conference. Israel’s relationship with the U.S. is extremely important to me; I am confident you will help keep that relationship during your time in Congress.

Once again, Israel finds itself in a very difficult and delicate situation. Any independent nation has not only the right but the obligation to defend its citizens from attacks. No true democratic government could sit idly as its cities are hit by rockets.

The bigger problem, however, is not the attacks on Sderot and other southern Israeli cities. The real problem is the same one it has always been – the question of Israel’s fundamental right to exist. Unfortunately, Israel’s retaliatory raids on Hamas will only set the Jewish state farther back in its quest for full acknowledgement of its right to exist from the Muslim world. Israel has an immediate need to keep its citizens in the south secure, but long-term security cannot be solved by war. This war only fans the flames of extremism in the Middle East, and most importantly in the West Bank. The most disastrous thing that could happen now is for Hamas to gain popularity or take over the West Bank, leaving Israel surrounded in both the east and west by hostile terrorists, (not to mention Hezbollah in the north).

The offensive in Gaza has gone on long enough – nearly one thousand have died and Hamas has been severely crippled. It is now time for Israel and the Palestinians to sign an immediate ceasefire and to resume the peace process.

“Peace” seems very elusive right now, and maybe I’m overly optimistic. But there is one thing about which I’m sure: this war will not bring peace any closer. More important than Hamas’ Qassams are its words – its anti-Semitism and refusal to grant Israel the right to exist. Peace will only be achieved once the Palestinian people reject Hamas; during this war, the vast majority of Gazans, and perhaps West Bank residents as well, are only clinging more firmly to Hamas and anti-Zionism.

It is in the best interests of Israel, the U.S. and the entire region for the war in Gaza to end as soon as possible. I encourage you to join dozens of other Congressmen, Senators and Jewish organizations who are calling for an immediate cease-fire between Israel and Gaza.

Sincerely,
Brandon Davis

I think that finally our relationship with Israel (and the rest of the Middle East) may finally take a turn away from neoconservative, gung-ho, more-pro-Israel-than-you nonsense politics to a real friendship that criticizes when necessary and can act as an honest mediator, not just supporter. Many Senators and Congressmen are finally realizing that we can be staunchly pro-Israel and still call for a cessation of violence; liberal Jewish organizations are gaining prominence and there will soon be a new guy in the White House who understands things like...we don't need to go there. Essentially, I'm hoping for the best.

For anyone in the Jewish community in favor of ceasefire and the resumption of the peace process, I encourage you to visit http://www.jstreet.org/ and sign their petition.