(C) Daily Kos This story was originally published by Daily Kos and is unaltered. . . . . . . . . . . The Israel-Hamas War is Complicated. Let’s Be Precise In Our Disagreements [1] ['This Content Is Not Subject To Review Daily Kos Staff Prior To Publication.'] Date: 2023-10-25 The Israel–Hamas war has triggered deep disagreements among reasonable people. One reason it’s so hard to discuss productively is the number of sub-questions under the overarching question of what we should advocate for now. We seem to be on opposite sides when we disagree on the answers to the sub-questions. Still, I believe we all agree on the goal — namely, to achieve peace with the fewest possible civilian deaths (anywhere). This includes the release of the hostages Hamas took in the Oct 7 attack. Here are the sub-questions. I hope referencing them can help us articulate our positions on this tragic conflict and understand each other better. 1. Is going to war in response to terrorism justified? (In this case, or ever?) War, by its nature, has more casualties than terrorist attacks. [I believe this to at least partially account for the double standard in reporting human costs in Gaza vs Israel. I haven’t read all the coverage out there, so it is possible that some commentators do value Gazan lives less because of prejudice.] The number of civilians killed in 9/11 is far exceeded by the numbers killed in the “War on Terror.” Reasonable people can disagree on whether going to war in response to terrorism is ever justified. At this point, war has begun, and we can’t retroactively change that. We can talk about where to go from here. 2. What outcome are we working toward? The international community is pressing Israel to make every effort to minimize casualties. Even if Israel does make every effort, the number of casualties will be high. Many want Israel to change strategies and tactics: This Vox article makes a case for a more targeted counterterrorism approach. www.vox.com/… Yes or no on a ground invasion. If yes, when? The international community pushes for a delay. Yes or no on airstrikes. Yes or no on shelling at Rafah or delaying aid. Yes or no on restarting the water and electricity supply. Secretary Blinken called for “consideration” of a humanitan pause to deliver aid and evacuate civilians. Many have called for a ceasefire. The difference between ceasefire and humanitarian pause: www.washingtonpost.com/… Some who answered ‘no’ to the first question call for an unconditional end to the war. 3. How do we exert influence on the outcomes? Whatever outcome we are pushing for, most agree that we can only achieve it through negotiation with the Israeli government. President Biden pledged unwavering support to Israel while urging restraint and pushing for aid to Gaza. There have been a range of opinions on this policy and what the US should do next. Some argue that not expressing support or not providing weapons may have prevented Israel from going to war. Some argue that making support explicitly conditional on certain IDF actions (allowing aid, using/not using certain war strategies and tactics) would have better results. Some argue that publicly expressing support while exerting diplomatic pressure privately is the best approach. 4. What is currently happening? 4.1: Is Israel making every effort to prevent civilian casualties? 4.2: Is the US advocating (strongly enough) for aid, restraint, ceasefire. humanitan pause, etc.? 4.3: Is Hamas using human shields, redirecting humanitarian aid to their own purposes, etc.? 4.4: What is the death toll and its breakdown (civilian, military, militant, by nationality)? 5. What is possible? 5.1: Is a stable peace possible while Hamas (widely regarded as a terrorist organization whose aims are not driven by the rational self-interest of the Palestinian people but by an apocalyptic, fundamentalist worldview) continues to operate? 5.2: What form of government would finally allow the people of Gaza full rights and quality of life (two-state, three-state, and other solutions)? 5.3: What democracy reforms are required in Israel to support peace, security, and restoration of rights to Gaza? * * * In the spirit of disclosure, I will give my personal answers: 1. I don’t know. 2. Targeted counterterrorism + humanitarian pause. 3. Public support, private pressure. 4.1: Not enough. 4.2: I don’t know. 4.3: Likely, based on history. 4.4: I don’t know. 5.1: Maybe not. 5.2: Two-state, probably. 5.3: Right-wing must be ejected, end to illegal settlements, and freedom of passage for Palestinians. [This isn’t the main point of my diary, but hopefully clarifies my assumptions underlying the framing of these questions.] * * * I’m writing this in the hope of helping organize the discussion. Even when we disagree, I believe it’s helpful to pinpoint where the disagreement lies. Feel free to disagree with me, and add any questions I’ve missed. [END] --- [1] Url: https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2023/10/25/2201592/-The-Israel-Hamas-War-is-Complicated-Let-s-Be-Precise-In-Our-Disagreements?pm_campaign=front_page&pm_source=latest_community&pm_medium=web Published and (C) by Daily Kos Content appears here under this condition or license: Site content may be used for any purpose without permission unless otherwise specified. via Magical.Fish Gopher News Feeds: gopher://magical.fish/1/feeds/news/dailykos/