Our foppish self-righteousness

Since the start of the intifada, more than 800 Israelis, mostly civilians, have been killed by Palestinians. We, justifiably, call it "murder." Some were killed by suicide bombers and the rest with other instruments of death. At the same time, more than 2,200 Palestinians have been killed by Israelis - some as armed suspects, and almost all from soldiers' fire. We don't call these casualties "murdered."

But perhaps these deaths should also be referred to as murders. All the instruments of death that came from the sky, and the tanks, and the snipers were aimed at "the enemy" as the chief of staff says, or in "wartime operations" as Judge Advocate General Menachem Finkelstein says; and so there's no need to interrogate soldiers and prosecute the killers of civilians. Furthermore, adds the law-abiding JAG, "It is impossible to conduct 2,000 investigations into 2,000 deaths" (Haaretz, July 10).

But he didn't onduct investigations when there were only 50 cases of murdered Palestinians or when there were 100. So why put murderers and abusers on trial now when there are so many? Wait, he did, finally, find eight cases to
investigate, for shooting incidents.
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Letters from Palestine: A Canadian Comes Home to Hebron

I made it to Palestine on Tuesday, May 28 after a brief but painful stay in Jordan. I was held at the airport for five hours and my passport was taken away. I was given a piece of paper and told to go to a certain government agency within 48 hours to get my passport from there.

It was a nightmare.
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Letters from Palestine: Babies and Blockades

Yesterday was June 6, 2003, the 36th anniversary of the occupation of Palestine. It was a day like any other day. Despite 36 years of occupation, the people have not forgotten. They are well informed about everything. Iraq and Palestine are the topic of the hour.

Everyone has an opinion. Since I arrived here, I have been listening to people’s analysis of the situation and what will become of Palestine. Discussions are numerous, fierce, and very funny. Humor peppers all political discussion.

However, it seems it is only me who laughs.

I spent the first few nights laughing before realizing no one else was. People are tired and angry.

Their demand now is to remove the roadblocks. No matter how I, or many others, explain the horror of the roadblocks and road closures, one must experience it to realize the level of humiliation that Israel visits on Palestinians.
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  thanks to Magpie