Bernard Rowan
By Bernard Rowan
I have some additional thoughts to share concerning the war in Gaza. As the war continues, following a temporary truce, many are calling for ending the battle. It’s an uphill struggle for Israel, which remains adamant about its purpose. I’d like to discuss the role of Benjamin Netanyahu, concerns about intelligence and democracy, the issue of civilians and the integrity of Gaza.
Hamas is a creature of Netanyahu’s devices. Much capital was funneled to Hamas via Qatar. Netanyahu wanted to create a foil to the Palestinian Authority and prevent a Palestinian state. Netanyahu doesn’t want a permanent state for the Palestinians. His government encourages the rivalry and split in Palestinian leadership between Hamas and the West Bank.
Here’s hoping the Israeli people will decide it’s time to find a new leader. Netanyahu’s history isn’t enviable. Even now, many in Israel call for him to step down.
In a country that once saw Arab and Jewish brothers and sisters live together, Europe and America have permitted a war. The unfinished business of melding two now polarized nations is monumental. Too much effort has transpired with no lasting result. Netanyahu’s Machiavellian missteps won’t work.
Just as with 911 and U.S. intelligence, the present Israeli government ignored warning signs from the intelligence services and available data. Certainly, much can be learned looking back, and indeed there were serious lapses. However, I don’t believe these settle much. The problem is that a democracy as an open society remains vulnerable to terrorism. The murders committed by Hamas on Oct. 7 are the reason for the deaths and atrocities, not the Israeli Intelligence services, or anyone or anything else.
One of the more positive signs is the world’s condemnation of the suffering in Gaza. The peoples of the world have shown general agreement that innocent Israelis and innocent Palestinians, civilians, aren’t fair game and shouldn’t amount to collateral damage. Ultimately, this truth points to the folly and evils of any war and all war. It also reveals the importance of creating free governments with the rule of law and checks and balances on centralized power, in particular, that of military and police powers.
Even so, Hamas isn’t a real government. It’s a terrorist organization. I hope the peoples of the world look to see Hamas cowering behind and allowing the deaths of their people in order to hide in caves and continue their autocratic and unjust designs.
People deserve a free government that respects life, liberty and the rights of property. These are elements needed for happiness. Gaza has lacked these possibilities for a long time. Their government hasn’t the ability to create a basis for true and lasting peace based upon democratic and open principles and norms of law.
Unfortunately, world leaders aren’t calling for an end to Hamas or new leadership in Gaza. That certainly should form part of Biden and Blinken’s rhetoric, along with Macron and all the rest. Israel should make assurances that the integrity of Gaza will remain after Hamas, or its credibility in pursuing just war will vanish over time. It’s already wavering with the manifest suffering of the people in Gaza and the revelations about Netanyahu.
The harder work in Gaza won’t be ending the rule of Hamas. That will take time, but will happen if the world doesn’t want to keep the Hitlerian impulse in that terrorist group alive. But the real work of creating a just democracy in Gaza, the work that should be led by the people of Gaza, and not depend on Israel as an overseer or anti-democratic force remains. The world can’t let the possibility of a free Gaza and a united Palestinian state go without equal concern and attention.
Bernard Rowan (browan10@yahoo.com) is associate provost for contract administration and academic services and professor of political science at Chicago State University. He is a past fellow of the Korea Foundation and a former visiting professor at Hanyang University.
Thinking about Gaza II
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10.12.2023
Bernard Rowan
By Bernard RowanI have some additional thoughts to share concerning the war in Gaza. As the war continues, following a temporary truce, many are calling for ending the battle. It’s an uphill struggle for Israel, which remains adamant about its purpose. I’d like to discuss the role of Benjamin Netanyahu, concerns about intelligence and democracy, the issue of civilians and the integrity of Gaza.
Hamas is a creature of Netanyahu’s devices. Much capital was funneled to Hamas via Qatar. Netanyahu wanted to create a foil to the Palestinian Authority and prevent a Palestinian state. Netanyahu doesn’t want a permanent state for the Palestinians. His government encourages the rivalry and split in Palestinian leadership between Hamas and the West Bank.
Here’s hoping the Israeli people will decide it’s time to find a new leader. Netanyahu’s history isn’t enviable. Even now, many in Israel call for him to step down.
In a country that once saw Arab and Jewish brothers and sisters........
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