Hamas’s horrible attack on innocent Israelis naturally provokes hatred. It makes it very difficult to calmly evaluate events to prevent their repetition. But we must try anyway.

What predominates in the US press, and in much of the world, is the slogan “all our support for Israel.” In reality, support and solidarity is, or should be from my viewpoint, with the victims, not necessarily with the policies of the State or the government of Israel. Nor does solidarity with the inhabitants of Gaza subjected to a cruel and deadly bombardment imply any support for Hamas. Along these lines, solidarity with the Palestinians of the West Bank who are daily murdered, expropriated and humiliated does not mean support for an ossified and corrupt local (Palestinian) administration. THE INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS OF ISRAELIS AND INHABITANTS OF OCCUPIED TERRITORIES ARE, SHOULD BE, ABOVE THE DECISIONS OF THEIR LEADERS.

It is said without evidence that Iran is behind Hamas attack, ignoring that the conflict, and therefore the emergence and consolidation of fundamentalist groups, is due to internal causes that have very little to do with Iran. The latter always makes public its support for groups like Hamas. It may provide it with advice and training. But Hamas plays its own game after so many years of activity. If Iran did not exist, the situation would not change. Iran’s repulsive internal policies do not automatically make it the culprit of all the ills of the area (that accusation seems to be more intense after the agreement between Iran and Saudi Arabia under the sponsorship of China and the incorporation of Saudi Arabia into the BRICs, the group headed by Brazil, Russia, India, China). 

This is a very dangerous conflict but it is not a war between armies. If it were, it would be very easy for the Israeli army to solve the problem. This is essentially an internal conflict, within Israel. Gaza, the West Bank are kind of neighborhoods of Israel, subject to special rules, but neighborhoods of Israel nonetheless: it controls the borders of Gaza, its economy, what enters and leaves the territory (Gaza represents 2% of Israel’s territory); it intervenes more intensively on the West Bank where settlements already account for  almost 10% of the Israeli population. Gaza is said to be the largest open-air prison in the world.

Can Hamas be eliminated? I wouldn’t cry at all if that happens. But it is not possible. Hamas is more than just a group of fanatics that internally control Gaza. Many of their leaders were killed to be immediately replaced by new ones. The bombings of Gaza, the blockade to which it is subjected to only bring misery and resentment to the local population. 50% of Gaza’s population are children under 15 years of age.

The repression in the West Bank continues and has worsened these days. In recent days alone, 12 or more people have died in the repression of demonstrations. The use of the army in the repression, or the violent actions of settlers against Palestinians, have resulted in several deaths so far this year in the West Bank, many of them children. This permanent repression, for so many years, creates such resentment in the population that it facilitates the actions of fundamentalist and terrorist groups.

What can be done to stop this escalation? I believe that the emphasis should be placed on stopping the bombings and the total blockade of Gaza, pursuing the release of the hostages with the help of Arab countries, particularly Qatar; identifying the direct attackers of Hamas in the best possible manner, which Israel can do very well overtime, building bridges between Palestinian and Israelí personalities willing to enter into a dialogue (I believe there are many), freezing all types of settlements and expropriations in the West Bank, facilitating the movements of Palestinians (Israel can do it without sacrificing its internal security, on the contrary improving it). These steps do not involve solving the underlying, long term  problems. They simply calm the situation and perhaps allow Israel and Palestinians to find solutions to more fundamental issues. Are these steps possible? I believe they are. Are they difficult? Indeed they are FOR BOTH PARTIES. Is there another solution. I am afraid not.