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The Forum > Article Comments > U.N.helpful in Gaza > Comments

U.N.helpful in Gaza : Comments

By David Singer, published 3/2/2009

It makes no sense to pour billions of dollars into the reconstruction of Gaza and the attempted rehabilitation of its traumatised citizens while Hamas is in control.

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Suppose someone else came to be in control of Gaza, someone who would acquiesce in the occupation by Israel of Palestinian lands, and in the continued exclusion of refugees from their original homes in Israel.

Why is it to be supposed that such control would be either effective or long lasting?

What is actually needed, perhaps before pouring billions of dollars into the reconstruction of Gaza, is a history lesson for world public opinion, and for Israel to withdraw to within its legal borders, and to allow refugees who were pushed out or fled the fighting in 1948 to return
Posted by jeremy, Tuesday, 3 February 2009 9:11:47 AM
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The UN is “unhelpful” anywhere in the world. It’s babbling hasn’t prevented the Hamas terrorists re-commencing the firing of rockets into Israel after the short cease fire. The UN is a disgraceful organisation which should be abandoned.

Israel must again retaliate and, this time, finish the job. Any more interference from the UN will only lengthen the conflict and give Hamas more support from the lunatic left in the West
Posted by Leigh, Tuesday, 3 February 2009 10:06:22 AM
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Could Mr Singer clarify a few points for me?

"....Hamas still remains firmly entrenched in occupation and control of Gaza's civilian population."

I thought Hanas was the democratically elected government in Gaza.

"Its estimated terrorist army of 20,000 fighters pledged to bring about the destruction of Israel has..."

Why not start talking to the democratcally elected government rather than perpetuating the myth of a "terrorist army" (freedom fighters?). It seems difficult to destroy the entity "Israel" when the entity has refused to define its borders.

"- no matter what steps are taken by the international community to try to stop the flow of weapons into Gaza."

What steps are being taken by the international community to stop the flow of weapons into Israel?

"...this army that fights in mufti from houses, shelters, hospitals, schools and mosques using the civilian population as human shields."

Is this disingenuous in the light of all the evidence of Un sites, chicken farms, etc. being targetted when occupied only by civilians?

"The price paid by Gazans in deaths, injuries, and property losses for Hamas continuing its rocket barrage of Israeli civilian populations after the end of a six months ceasefire in December has been catastrophic."

...and disproportionate? So Hamas is to blame fo Israel's disproportionate response? Are they firing these rockets beacause their country has been blockaded by Israel and their lives reduced to misery and humiliation?

"It makes no sense to pour billions of dollars into the reconstruction of Gaza and the attempted rehabilitation of its traumatised citizens in situ with the more than likely possibility that the money spent will once again disappear down the tunnels still left untouched by Israel's bombs or into the Swiss bank accounts of corrupt officials as has occurred so often in the past."

What will Israel's contribution be to repairing the damage they caused? Do you have any evidence for the Hamas corruption you imply?
Posted by Stan1, Tuesday, 3 February 2009 12:07:35 PM
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So you prefer Israel to be in control, David, seeing that Fatah is up Israel's behind.

Please remember that as from way back in the late 1960s, the same America in it's illegal arming of Israel, plus deadly atomic rocketry, still calls the tune illegally concerning Israel's present power and .

We only hope Obama has more sense -

in fact it is a decision deciding between Middle East democracy and US power balance abusiveness -

Such truly deciding Obama's future.

We can only pray that Obama understands that it was not US power that backed him, but those after a Global New Desl.
Posted by bushbred, Tuesday, 3 February 2009 12:41:05 PM
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"The UN is “unhelpful” anywhere in the world."

Mr. Right,

I assume you are talking about their diplomatic initiatives? If so, I'd broadly agree with you. However, what about their aid workers? You know, the guys that never get the limelight and who get their hands dirty doing some of the necessary hard and dangerous stuff?

"Israel must again retaliate and, this time, finish the job. Any more interference from the UN will only lengthen the conflict and give Hamas more support from the lunatic left in the West."

That's a double-edged sword. The UN's intervention does give time for Hamas to regroup, but it also helps to stabilise the civilian Gazan population.
Posted by RobP, Tuesday, 3 February 2009 12:53:56 PM
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I regret that all responses to my article so far have ignored the central point I am making - that the United Nations should step in and call on both Israel and Hamas to offer Gaza's civilian population a window of opportunity to leave Gaza permanently or even on a temporary basis until the hostilities between Hamas and Israel are ended and that pouring billions of dollars into Gaza whilst the hostilities are likely to recur is a complete waste of money.

Ban Ki-moon seems to be adopting an entirely different stance in relation to the civilian population caught between the Sri Lankan army and the Tamil Tigers as the following article would seem to indicate.

http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=29730&Cr=sri+lanka&Cr1=

Why should the same concern not be shown by the Secretary-General towards the Gazans?

Arguing the rights or wrongs of either Israel or Hamas offers no comfort or relief to the civilians trapped in the middle.

If you wish to engage in point scoring then feel free to do so. I won't be drawn into that never ending and pointless argument.
Posted by david singer, Tuesday, 3 February 2009 3:55:20 PM
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