We need calls for calm, not war

Like many people, I have been horrified by the news coming out of Israel this weekend.

I have no intention of detailing those dreadful events. They were particularly shocking, not only because they were unexpected (Israeli intelligence services have some questions to answer on that front) and occurred on Simchat Torah at the end of Sukkot and the Jewish High Holy Days, but because the attacks were so savage, so devastating and directed at innocent civilians. Reports of rape and disgraceful treatment of the dead make it even more horrendous. To call the force used excessive is not to do justice to the full horror of what took place. 

It is no accident that Hamas attacked on the Shabbat following Hoshana Rabbah - the last of the "Days of Judgment". The message is clear. 

At the outset I should state that I am not "pro-Israel", although I believe Israel has a right to exist. I am not "pro-Palestine", although I support the Palestinians' struggle for justice. I would like to see a two-state solution that puts rights first and an end to occupation, which is clearly a long term aspiration; in the meantime I am on the side of human rights and on those who work for lasting peace. My concern is for Israelis and Palestinians - not the Israeli government or Hamas.

Discussion about these events on social media has been rather depressing, not least because many fail to make distinctions between Israel, its government and Judaism, or between Palestine and Hamas. More concerning still are those who appear unable to speak out against Hamas aggression, presumably on the basis that terrorists who ostensibly share their broad political aims could not possibly be terrorists. This is a dangerous mindset, and no amount of empathy with the Palestinians' struggle (or opposition to the actions of the Israeli government) could lead me to support terrorist activity of this nature. This is not only an attack on Israel; it is an attack on humanity.

Seeing people "celebrating" these attacks is sickening. I will not do what others have and use this to  dishonestly support political claims that multiculturalism is failing, but I see nothing to celebrate in such inhumanity or such blatant antisemitism. Opposition to the Israeli government and even to the existence of the State of Israel itself are understandable political positions, but lionising such violence and glorifying terrorism is something altogether different. Similarly, I have little time for the rampant antisemitism being expressed on social media, "pro-Palestinian" left-wing types calling for the annihilation of Israel or elected parliamentarians saying this kind of thing, as if that justifies the nature of Hamas's atrocities:

I'm not sure this is the time to be declaring "Viva Palestine". Hamas is a terrorist organisation and Saturday's attacks were terrorism in action. That should not be a controversial statement. I cannot side with Hamas, and I certainly cannot stand behind their actions. How can anyone reasonably support or excuse terrorism - even tacitly - especially when it manifests itself in rape, kidnap and indiscriminate murder? How could anyone support a terrorist organisation that is not only willing to do those things, but would be prepared to eradicate the entire Jewish population?

However, I am also uncomfortable at the initial responses of many other UK politicians - including the Prime Minister. Instinctively, their reaction has been to reiterate Israel's right to defend itself. Of course, Israel does have that right, but how helpful are these statements? Or those who have nothing to say other than "we stand with Israel"? Is it what is needed at the present time? We need calls for calm, not war.

Yes, I stand with the victims of this violence.  But I do not stand with Benjamin Netanyahu. I would not want my sympathy for those affected by terrorism to be interpreted as support for the regime. I am particularly concerned by his initial reactions, which were to escalate tensions and declare war. I am also wary of the risks posed by the severe retaliation Netanyahu seems bent on, and the inevitable effect this will have on innocent Palestinians. The fact that Israel has a right to defend itself doesn't mean that it must defend itself, and certainly not in ways that seek retribution or revenge and will only serve to worsen a terrible situation.  With rights come responsibilities.

I cannot say "I stand with Israel" because I distrust Israel's government to make the right decisions, and I cannot offer my support to reprisals and retribution. Revenge is not, after all, self-defence. Even the understandable desire to "destroy Hamas" is likely to be counter-productive if attempted purely through the use of force: kill one terrorist and three more will rise up in their place. It is also an undeniable fact that the Israeli government has oppressed Palestinians, something that has to be both acknowledged and called out.

Of course, such logic assumes it is actually possible to target Hamas without impacting the civilian population of Gaza. The likelihood is that any military action will result in a significant loss of civilian life. My fear is that the Netanyahu government is likely to respond in ways that are devastating for Gaza and damaging to Israel. If he embarks on this "war" he risks alienating allies and losing the support of the international community. Just as Israel has a right to defend itself, so too do innocent Palestinians have a right not to become collateral in any "war on terror". 

It is not enough to condemn Hamas, although they must be condemned. Neither is it enough to support Israel's "right to defend itself" or to "stand with Israel". Powerful people need to take a stand to bring an end to this conflict, the injustices that have led to it (Hamas's actions, while appalling, cannot be said to be "unprovoked") and to work for a lasting peace in the area. 

75 years after Israel was birthed, the country is clearly in crisis. In recent months Israel has witnessed increased anti-government protests in relation to proposals to bring the judiciary under increased political control. The incumbent government, arguably the most religious and right-wing in Israel's history, has become increasingly out-of-touch with a sizable section of the population that desires a pluralistic, democratic state. Israel's constitution, which was due to be written shortly after the country's creation, has still yet to come into being. Meanwhile, the peace process has effectively been abandoned by Netanyahu and the Likud Party. 

Netanyahu being recalled as Prime Minister while facing an ongoing corruption trial, the undermining of the Abraham Accords and the increasing number of Palestinians being killed in the West Bank by Israeli forces paints a picture of an unhealthy nation. The fact that there has been a corresponding increase in the number of Israelis killed by Palestinian attacks underlines this reality. And that's before we consider the nature of external threats and Hamas's relationships with Iran, Qatar and Syria. 

What is needed isn't blanket support for Israel's right to carry out reprisals, which will inevitably only deepen the crisis. The fact is that Israel is facing multiple crises, many of its own making, and that context needs to be understood. Perhaps if efforts had been made in recent years to address the worsening political unrest in Israel while directing energies into resurrecting peace talks, Hamas may not have felt the need to launch rockets into Tel Aviv. The inaction of the UK, US and other nations may not have caused the current tragedy but has certainly contributed to it.

It is too simple to make glib statements of solidarity, to "stand with Israel" and "defend it's right to self-defence". To do that requires no action or engagement with the bigger political, social, religious and historical pictures. It tacitly approves Netanyahu's self-declared "war" while offering no ideas for creating a better future. Unfortunately, prospects for peace are rapidly evaporating.

Oversimplifying the complex realities of the Israeli-Palestinian issue is dangerous. Reducing intricate situations to simple slogans is like reducing the atom - the end result is likely to be explosive.

Yes, Hamas must be resisted. But how Israel "defends itself" matters - it cannot be given carte blanche to use these attacks to punish Palestinians. Let's be realistic - the likelihood is that Netanyahu will respond by denying basic human rights to the two million Palestinians living in the Gaza Strip, effectively punishing them for the actions of a terrorist organisation. "Support" for Israel must not be uncritical and cannot be allowed to extend to actions against innocent civilians such as cutting off water supplies (or other actions that would cause disproportionate human suffering).

In the last few years the Israeli government has actively escalated tensions while the international community has done little to help address the Israeli-Palestinian issue. What is needed is a belated international effort to resolve - or reduce - long-standing conflict. Meaningful progress on achieving longer-term peace will almost certainly not be achieved quickly, but a de-escalation of the crisis is possible. I do not believe the situation is yet past the point of no return. 

This evening it was announced that the Israeli flag will be flown from all government buildings. As someone who stands with the "ordinary" Israelis and Palestinians who will inevitably suffer unless solutions are found quickly, I want to see so much more than gesture politics.  

Instead of "standing with Israel" or, worse still, refusing to call out terrorism, perhaps the UK's elected politicians would be better advised to actively seek conversations with Israeli and Palestinian leaders to restore calm and ensure the safe release of hostages?  There are of course no easy solutions to complex problems, but this situation calls for purposeful efforts rather than simple words.