Finally - a different approach
Haaretz reports today:
"Defense Minister Amir Peretz decided overnight Tuesday to reopening the main commercial crossing between Israel and the Gaza Strip out of concern that the stringent border policy is causing humanitarian damage to Palestinians in Gaza.Karni has been periodically closed for extended periods of time due to intelligence warnings of planned terror attacks at the crossing.A planned attack on the crossing was thwarted some three weeks ago by the Palestinian Authority security services. "Our war is against terror, not against the residents of the Strip," Peretz said Tuesday during a meeting with senior Southern Command officers. Karni has been open recently for the transfer of goods from Israel into Gaza. Peretz's decision, however, would allow goods to also travel in the other direction - from the Gaza Strip into Israel, Israel Radio reported".
Finally, with a civilian in charge of defence Amir Peretz we may be seeing the start of a different approach towards the Palestinians, which takes a more humane approach towards the Palestinians without compromising on security. Apart from the fact that it is more moral course of action, in the long-term such an approach is likely to encourage a reduction in terrorism. Punishing ordinary Palestinians for electing Hamas is not an acceptable policy option.
With Mofaz gone and forgotten, are we seeing the start of how a defence minister should conduct himself. Peretz still has an uphill battle against the defence establishment and the IDF who are set in their ways and conceptions of understanding the conflict. Peretz is, however, as a tough as lion and I have confidence that this small start is only the beginning.
"Defense Minister Amir Peretz decided overnight Tuesday to reopening the main commercial crossing between Israel and the Gaza Strip out of concern that the stringent border policy is causing humanitarian damage to Palestinians in Gaza.Karni has been periodically closed for extended periods of time due to intelligence warnings of planned terror attacks at the crossing.A planned attack on the crossing was thwarted some three weeks ago by the Palestinian Authority security services. "Our war is against terror, not against the residents of the Strip," Peretz said Tuesday during a meeting with senior Southern Command officers. Karni has been open recently for the transfer of goods from Israel into Gaza. Peretz's decision, however, would allow goods to also travel in the other direction - from the Gaza Strip into Israel, Israel Radio reported".
Finally, with a civilian in charge of defence Amir Peretz we may be seeing the start of a different approach towards the Palestinians, which takes a more humane approach towards the Palestinians without compromising on security. Apart from the fact that it is more moral course of action, in the long-term such an approach is likely to encourage a reduction in terrorism. Punishing ordinary Palestinians for electing Hamas is not an acceptable policy option.
With Mofaz gone and forgotten, are we seeing the start of how a defence minister should conduct himself. Peretz still has an uphill battle against the defence establishment and the IDF who are set in their ways and conceptions of understanding the conflict. Peretz is, however, as a tough as lion and I have confidence that this small start is only the beginning.
posted by SJ at 2:28 AM
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