Being a few stray observations by the proprietor of this blog, concerning the latest in the 'cycle of violence' between Israel and Hamas.
> First up, this:
The Egyptian statement came as the UN secretary general, Ban Ki-moon, also called for an immediate ceasefire. "The secretary general calls for an immediate de-escalation of tensions," the spokesman Martin Nesirky said.
"Both sides should do everything to avoid further escalation, and they must respect their obligations under international humanitarian law to ensure the protection of civilians at all times."
Don't you just love the way that statement about ensuring the protection of civilians applies to the rockets being fired on Sderot and other Israeli population centres? Like: do make sure, won't you, that in actively targeting civilians you also take steps to protect them.
> Second, I'm glad to see that some people - the US State Department, President Obama - 'support Israel's right to defend itself'. A point perhaps worth adding, is that the Israeli government not only has the right, it has an obligation, to defend its citizens from being under constant threat of rocket fire.
> Or else, third, you might just have a go at independent hand-wringing, in which Israel is condemned for 'fan[ning] the flames further' and for an action 'dangerous to the point of irresponsibility', even though its concern for its own security is said to be understandable. Its proper course of action? About that, squat.
> Lastly, a particular connection I will take the time to note is this one:
Blamed by Israel for being the captor-in-chief of Gilad Shalit in 2006, he confirmed that role by escorting the kidnapped Israeli soldier to the handover when he was finally released last year.
'When he was finally released' is right.
