A Successful War?

         

 

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I am so happy that the hostages have returned and the bombing in the Gaza Strip has been silenced. It is truly remarkable that this was accomplished. Understandably, their families are ecstatic.

I have been among those who expressed cautious hope. I still, to this day, do not feel confident that this is the end of war in the Middle East. My greatest fear is that all of the Palestinians who are returning home will one day find themselves caught in the middle of another conflict.

I pray it isn't so. Please let me be wrong.

I have a hard time celebrating as a success, a war where thousands upon thousands of innocent men, women and children have died. Starvation is horrendous. Homes have been completely obliterated, reduced to rubble. Those people have absolutely nothing to come back to.

I'm sure they are glad to be able to return, but the devastation is unspeakable. As someone said, the lifelong scars on the children will run deep.

We can celebrate the return of hostages, and hope for peace, but we should not be bragging. The way I see it, the constant bombing was an opportunity for a Prime Minister thirsty for land and power to take advantage of a situation. He stopped because he was pressured to do so, not because all of a sudden his desire for peace became greater than his desire for control.

I watched Trump's address to the Israeli Parliament. He called on various people who negotiated on his behalf. They smiled proudly as praise was heaped upon them.

As he poured out praise, he talked about about the "beautiful B2 bombers" previously dropped on Iran. 

Bombs are not beautiful. 

Admittedly, I lean toward pacifism. The key to making lasting change is to change the minds and hearts of the people in power. That can take time, but the effort is worth it.

We are not where we are today because of the bombing of Palestine. It accomplished nothing. Death and destruction never do. We are here because of negotiations.

Diplomacy works, as we have just witnessed. It's sad that so many died waiting for it. Death is a cost of war, albeit, not a justifiable one.

Lasting peace comes by diplomacy, not killing. We would do well to remember that and begin there, should there be a next time.

Janet Cassidy

Email me at:  jmctm2@gmail.com

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