The bloody situation unfolding between Israel and Islamic militants in and around the volatile Gaza Strip this week comes as little surprise to many of us who have visited the region in recent months.
During a stop by the southern Israeli city of Sderot in November, I interviewed residents, army officials and businessmen who told me the rocket barrage from inside Gaza has been a constant, and sometimes deadly, headache for more than two years.
Most expected an armed confrontation at any moment. I argued that diplomatic channels would more likely bring the two sides back from the brink.
They were right.
Sderot Police Chief Kobi Harush,
picture here with Hamas rockets collected from the area, said the city's public buildings, bus stops and most homes have been equipped with bomb shelters. Kids aren't going to school, and farmers and factory workers said their jobs are often interrupted by the eerie wail of rocket sirens.
Sure enough, during my visit, several rockets were launched toward Sderot from agricultural groves in northern Gaza territory. Fortunately, nobody was hurt.
The city has also been visited by L.B. Police Chief Anthony Batts, Santa Monica Police Chief Tim Jackman and other high-ranking law enforcement officers from the region in recent times.
According to Batts, "The Israelis' are the ones you go to to learn about fighting and preventing terrorism. They've lived under that threat a lot longer than we have."
Paul Eakins reports on Long Beach City Hall, and local and regional
politics. A newcomer to the Press-
Kris Hanson reports on the Ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles,
covering environmental issues, economic triumphs and
pitfalls and trade trends of America’s largest port.
He also writes a weekly column “On The Waterfront”,
appearing Tuesdays, and also produces an occassional video
and column titled “On The Job,” which follows the hard-working
men and women who keep Southern California’s economy humming.
Karen Robes Meeks came to work for the Press-
Israel wants to live in peace with its neighbors. The 2005 pull-out from Gaza was designed to provide their Palestinian neighbors with real estate from which to develop their own country and demonstrate their parallel desire to live in peace side by side with Israel. Unfortunately, unlike the Israelis, the Palestinians aspire to make their neighbors lives miserable. Israel, on the other hand would be most happy to formulate a peaceful coexistence, and has stated such on many many occasions, but still waits to hear that same message broadcast in return.
When you have been stealing other peoples property for over sixty years, killing them if they resist, and wailing about how they are hurting you, your credibility is nonexistent. Chief Batts, the only thing you can learn from the Zionists is how to be a better facist.
Why we are letting a country with half the population of Los Angeles county ruin our foreign policy, risking WWIII with our funding of said state, is a question many more people are asking. Thankfully.