July 13, 2006

W.T. Sherman, Not "Kumbaya"

I’m not especially a fan of Israel. I think US aid to Israel has been excessive and the power of the pro-Israel lobby has been too great. Israelis are often brusque and unpleasant. Some of their policies have been cynical, nasty and manipulative.

However, Israel is a sovereign country, as a result of war and population exchange, like many others such as Turkey, Greece, Croatia, Poland, Cyprus. If a neighboring country allows an armed faction, represented in its government, to attack its soldiers and rocket its people, it’s going to defend itself.

Tit-for-tat hasn’t worked. Withdrawal--total in Lebanon--hasn’t worked. Its enemies preach not just resolution of certain grievances but its total destruction, and continue to attack. Its enemies’ world view is akin to that of those who attacked New York, London, Madrid, Bali, Moscow, and Mumbai.

Like it or not, this is not a “Kumbaya” moment. It’s a William Tecumseh Sherman moment.

No comments: