I don’t see much point in responding to the last two paragraphs, which blindly debase millions of people based on no evidence whatsoever.

And again, I find it hard to swallow that Israel is more at fault for the current predicament than those in Gaza themselves. Israel has been feeding and providing fuel to this area. Maybe if Gazans put as much effort into bettering their lives and having a stable group of folks in charge as they do into making suicide belts and shooting rockets, they wouldn’t be in this situation in the first place.

Do I feel for the Palestinians? Yes, I really do. Their homes were taken away and that sucks for the ones that didn’t go back after the founding of Israel because their property was appropriated. But you know what? There’s no excuse to have this refugee mentality after at least two more generations. Just as with an individual, people may screw you and it not be your fault, but at the end of the day it’s you yourself who has to take responsibilty for making your life better tomorrow than it was yesterday.

Egypt ranks right behind Israel in getting the most US aid (not counting Iraq) and they apparently allow IDF to roam freely in their cities so I would expect them to fall into line and make a serious effort to close up the border pretty soon. They have expressed reservations though about kicking them out; I believe it was Mubarak who said something like “Let the Palestinians eat. They are starving.”

I think the short-term solution is to end the blockade and negotiate a cease-fire.

Again, I agree that it’s a bad solution. But I don’t see a better short-term fix. Israel is at least very consistent with their actions — during lulls in violence they take it easy.

I disagree that it’s not significantly covered in the media — it’s been high on the NYT site the last several days, for instance. The quality of the coverage is a different matter.

Cameron,

In short, I would have Israel abide by international law. Starving Gaza will not improve Israel’s security — probably the opposite.

“And I imagine all the Israel-haters out there would be screaming bloody murder if Israel actually reoccupied Gaza as an alternative to a blockade.”

They don’t have to reoccupy it; it’s already under military occupation. And yes, critics of Israel would oppose that too as it’s another inhumane option.

“Let’s also remember that this isn’t really a “blockade” per se, but the Israelis just aren’t feeding, clothing, and providing fuel for people who are trying to kill them.”

The entire population of Gaza isn’t trying to kill them.

“It’s ridiculous to expect Israel to keep supplying these things to a Hamas-run area that is actively trying to kill Israelis.”

That’s a rather convenient way to frame the argument. Israel has made it so that they control the lifeline to Gaza. If they don’t want to provide the necessary supplies for the civilians there, fine, but they better knock down the walls and let them get supplies from somewhere else.

Let’s also remember that this isn’t really a “blockade” per se, but the Israelis just aren’t feeding, clothing, and providing fuel for people who are trying to kill them. Imagine if we were doing that for militants in Iraq. It’s ridiculous to expect Israel to keep supplying these things to a Hamas-run area that is actively trying to kill Israelis. Honestly, they’re stuck between a rock and a hard place here. Try offering an alternative solution to their problem that doesn’t unrealistically involve nicing Hamas to death.

And the Geneva conventions… Have you ever actually read them? I recommend it. Don’t provide musical instruments? War crime. No sporting equipment? War crime. Don’t pay prisoners for their time — in advance (because you obviously know how long they’ll be prisoners)? War crime. They’re vegetarian and you feed them steak? War crime. Prisoners’ barracks isn’t as good or better than our own troops’ barracks (gotta love pool tables and air conditioning)? War crime.

Yes, there’s some important stuff in there, but just saying “so-and-so violated the Geneva conventions” doesn’t mean a whole lot. It’s really a lot better to say something like “the Israelis are using collective responsibility for the acts of a few, which is deplorable.”