This history suggests three insights for the current crisis and the future of this complex and volatile region. First, October 7 made clear that this bloody cycle must end and that Hamas cannot be allowed to once again retrench, re-arm, and launch new attacks—while continuing to use people in Gaza as expendable human shields. Second, a full cease-fire that leaves Hamas in power would be a mistake. For now, pursuing more limited humanitarian pauses that allow aid to get in and civilians and hostages to get out is a wiser course. Third, Israel’s long policy of containment has failed—it needs a new strategy and new leadership.
Rejecting a premature cease-fire does not mean defending all of Israel’s tactics, nor does it lessen Israel’s responsibility to comply with the laws of war. Minimizing civilian casualties is legally and morally necessary. It is also a strategic imperative. Israel’s long-term security depends on its achieving peaceful coexistence with neighbors who are prepared to accept its existence and its need for security. The disaster of October 7 has discredited the theory that Israel can contain Hamas, ignore the legitimate aspirations of the Palestinian people, and freeze Israeli control over Palestinians forever.
At this point in time, Hillary is still defending the Biden Administration policy on the subject. So whether this is a nod to Biden and his reelection chances or a show of real courage of conviction is anyone's guess.
She is making an argument for a humanitarian freeze, but correctly balks at the idea of any long term end to the conflict. I believe this sort of where the Administration is as well. Let's also face reality. The common sense here is black and white. A full cease fire appeases Hamas and will embolden them to attack Israel in the future, knowing that the rest of the world will come save them from retaliation. This cannot happen. Not unless you literally want history to repeat itself.
So I give Hillary some benefit and credit here for making a stand. Not many on the left are willing to do so. That being said, just when you want to agree with her she tosses in something stupid.
Going forward, Israel needs a new strategy and new leadership. Instead of the current ultra-right-wing government, it will need a government of national unity that’s rooted in the center of Israeli politics and can make the hard choices ahead. At home, it will have to reaffirm Israeli democracy after a tumultuous period. In Gaza, it should resist the urge to reoccupy the territory after the war, accept an internationally mandated interim administration for governing the Strip, and support regional efforts to reform and revive the Palestinian Authority so it has the credibility and the means to reassume control of Gaza.
This is where I have to go ahead and disagree with her. The problem is not a right wing government. In fact, the current leadership is why there is a chance that things might go differently from the long history of Israel accepting some form of terror appeasement. Bringing in someone more politically "aligned" with Hillary and the Democrats will do nothing for the region. I suspect she believes it will keep American Jews somehow more liberal and push them to continue to vote lock step for Democrats.
Clinton calling for the "international community" to step into the situation and provide "security" to Gaza only makes things worse and allows terrorist to regroup and reload. Israel is smart to put their own forces in charge of their own security there. Let the people with skin in the game be in charge of protecting that skin. The international community has given Israel literally no reason to trust that they will work on their behalf in any sort of conflict or conflict resolution. Telling Israel to butt out and putting some international Palestinian appeasers in charge is little more than an invitation to the terrorists to make another run at Israel.
But overall, Hillary makes some valid points as an old school Democrat. This just exposes the idea that we are seeing a growing chasm between your legacy Democrats and the woke new liberal radicals that are being grown from test tubes in schools and colleges across the nation. To some degree the liberals I grew up with (and was once a part of) look nothing like the liberals entering the fray today. These are true radicals and true sheep to their radical causes. It feels like more and more old school libs like Hillary are waking up to this. It just takes something obvious to shine a light on it.
Hamas Says All The AK-47s Found In Gaza Hospital Were Strictly For Medicinal Use
GAZA — As reports began to come out that Israeli Defense Forces had discovered a Hamas weapons depot hidden in a Gaza children's hospital, a spokesman for Hamas was adamant that all of the AK-47s found in the hospital were for medicinal use only.
"These were clearly medical machine guns," said Ali Mohammed Al Mohammed. "By confiscating these weapons, they are depriving sick children of the life-saving medical care that these rifles, rockets, and bombs provide. Only people who are truly heartless would take these weapons away from children who are ill. Death to Israel, thank you."
As Israel continues to receive a mixture of support…
Marina Medvin 🇺🇸 on X: "Best video you will see all week. https://t.co/OqBONIBkP7" / X (twitter.com)
The Israelis are always the only ones expected to lay down arms and make concessions. The moose-limbs are always given the benefit of the doubt and never are required to put skin in the game.
I happen to be in favor of a humanitarian ceasefire. Immediately after every terrorist in Gaza has been reduced to the molecular level. Completely removing Islam from all of humanity is truly the only humanitarian thing to do at this point.
To be clear... I even disagree for calls of a humanitarian ceasefire. I agree with Israel that any ceasefire needs to come with the immediate release of all hostages. So I guess that is another disagreement with Hillary...