The list is a one-sided affair, with Palestinians disproportionately represented. Sixteen were killed early on the morning of July 12, which brings the toll to 121 over the five days since the current outbreak of hostilities. The internet is awash with appalling imagery of maimed and mangled men, women and most heart-rendingly, children, who have died as a result of Israeli strikes. Their injuries are too awful to describe, their bodies limp in the arms of their parents whose howls of grief and rage almost burst from the screen. By contrast, there are clips of Israelis running for cover as incoming rockets are intercepted by the ‘Iron Dome’ defence system — but there are no mangled children their limbs at grotesque angles and few shattered buildings.
The plight of those that live in the Gaza Strip is an international disgrace. Whatever the rights and wrongs of the claims by both sides, the world has effectively abandoned the Palestinians to their fate, and it is small wonder that they fight back with a ferocity born of desperation. Thus far, no Israeli has been killed, though one soldier has been badly injured and an elderly man hurt when a petrol station was hit by a rocket. Massive ground forces are poised for an operation on the borders of Palestine and the body count rises by the hour. And who will put the brakes on Israel if it chooses to use main force? ‘Nobody’ would appear to be the answer to that.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 14th, 2014.
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COMMENTS (6)
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I again say that the robustness of Israel’s actions in Gaza at least has the excuse that Israel is bombing those who are not Jewish co-religionists, during a time period that is not religiously significant to Jews, targeting those who are not claimed to be Israeli citizens on territory that is not claimed by Israel.
On the other hand, the robustness of Pakistan’s action in North Waziristan is inexplicable against the backdrop that Pakistan is bombing Islamic co-religionists, during a time period that is religiously significant to Muslims, targeting those who are claimed to be citizens of Pakistan on territory that is claimed by Pakistan.
Naming a military operation Zarb-e-Azb after the sword of founder of Islam does not absolve Pakistan of the heinousness of her actions which has rendered 800,000 Pathan’s homeless during the month of Ramazan. It behooves Pakistan to remain totally silent on what Israel does in Gaza and instead repent for its actions in North Waziristan. If Pakistan insists on being hypocritical, it may do so by condemning China for restricting fasting by Uighur’s in Xinjiang.
Finally, why is Pakistan following Israeli precedent in North Waziristan? Why does Pakistan not follow India’s example in Jammu & Kashmir and spare North Waziristan of indiscriminate and disproportionate use of force by ceasing bombing and shelling?
I hope I will not have to wait long for an Express Tribune Editorial that in an adaption of what your current editorial says will say: “The plight of those that live in the North Waziristan Agency is an international disgrace. Whatever the rights and wrongs of the claims by both sides [ie: Punjabi controlled Pakistan Military and Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan] , the world has effectively abandoned the Pathans to their fate, and it is small wonder that they fight back with a ferocity born of desperation.” The complicit silence of Pakistani press at the humanitarian crisis wrought by the Punjabi controlled Military of Pakistan in North Waziristan is nothing short of appalling. Editorials critising Israel for following the same tactics of the Punjabi controlled Pakistan Military in NWA is blatantly hypocritical.
We kashmiri Hindus are your forefathers syed don't forget us we are coming in Kashmir @Syed Jalal Kashmiri:
Palestine situation is bad. In Kashmir we have successfully 100% genocided, and ethnic cleansed the Hindus. Palestinians should have done this before 1948.
For a conflict to resolve or discussions (to find a solution) to take place, both sides needs to demonstrate common sense and fairness. Israel keeps killing civilians in the name of defence and Palestinians baseline position is that Israel has no right to exist.
Who within international community would be foolish enough to mediate for a solution?