Cargo of a dove

Israel is vacating the Gaza settlements this week and it can expect little in return for this move, and particularly from the Palestinian Authority.

My opinions are conflicted on many points, for instance:

I am almost always against using troops on citizens, but a few citizens cannot be allowed to obstruct a democratic decision with violence.

I find Sharon's aggression part of the problem, particularly his quick rejection of Jimmy Carter's attempts to broker an agreement recently (I say Israel owes Jimmy more respect for the Camp David accord).

I find Israel's repeated spying on the US indefensible, particularly when we have sacrificed lives repeatedly on her behalf. It is, in short, no way to treat a friend and can only serve to weaken our alliance.

I find our moral position compromised by our own Westward expansion through nations of Native Americans and that little episode we had with slavery.

That said, though, Israel has decided it wants peace and is willing to sacrifice to get it. Perhaps the world community can recognize this as a step and applaud it and encourage one from Palestine, since Peace doesn't come through strength of arms but the approach of justice for all parties.

Will Palestine reciprocate or will it be violence and victimhood as usual?

On a related note, here is an article that I read which I enjoyed. It doesn't paint things in terms of right and wrong or black and white, but rather in terms of progress towards peace. You do what you can, the author seems to say, you do what you can:

Gush Katif