Destination Nowhere

In the summer of 2006, Ehud Olmert's horn was muted by the fire-power of Hezbollah. For three consecutive weeks Sheik Hassan Nasrallah's contingent resisted the Israeli Defense Forces that had mounted a land invasion into Lebanon. Olmert's silence, however, contrasted with the cries of Lebanese mothers whose children had fallen prey to military weapons. They understood there are no winners in a bloody conflict. Israel had not suffered humiliation and Hezbollah had not tasted victory, only loved ones had been killed or severely injured. 

With zero gained and a surplus of human degradation, the Lebanon War assumed its rightful place alongside the biggest military blunder of the decade: the US led invasion of Iraq and Afghanistan. In this climate of abject failure, Olmert's popularity plummeted. The Israeli public wasted little time demanding his resignation and Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni filled the ministerial vaccum two years later. 

In 2009, the script has not changed and we are faced with yet another human tragedy. Since Israel began its latest military operation in Gaza, in December, close  to 400 people have been killed. Senior Israeli officials declare the attacks are aimed at destroying Hamas, who are responsible for firing rockets and mortars into bordering Israeli villages. Yet the timing of the military incursion with Israeli elections and the scale of operations suggests the presence of other interests. 

Despite the negative outcome of recent clashes with Hezbollah,  the majority of  Israeli citizens cling onto the notion that Israel has no other alternative but to precision bomb its way to safety. It should come as no surprise then, that on the eve of elections, voters endorse military action to suppress Hamas, rather than seeking a political solution to the problem. In a bid to secure the Knesset in February, the Kadima Party has co-opted the extremist position. Tzipi Livni previously regarded as a dove, by Israeli standards, now mimics the belligerent tone of Benjamin Netanyahu. In a last ditch attempt to prove she has the sway to combat militants and "protect" Israeli citizens, Livni has given the thumbs up for a massive ground and air assault on areas suspected to be Hamas strongholds. 

While her immediate objective of party leadership is attainable, her overarching goal of guaranteeing the security of Israelis is destined for failure. That is, if she continues to rely on military force and not political acumen. In order to solve the Palestinian and Israeli problem Livni must grasp one fundamental equation; Israel's vulnerability is partially a function of  it's own aggressive behavior and inhumane security measures and procedures in Gaza. In other words, Hamas is not going to abandon violence in a hurry, when the majority of Palestinians are hungry, susceptible to disease and confined to a 25 mile strip of rubble.