An earlier commenter has already brought up the historical parallel of America’s dropping two atomic bombs on civilians, mostly women and children since many military-age men were elsewhere engaged in combat against the WWII Allies. Instantly, over 200,000 civilians perished and the cities almost entirely obliterated.
I was born just a few months before that horrific “genocide.” As soon as I was old enough to read and learn about history and what my country had done, I felt much of the ethical burden Glenn describes. The atomic bombings resulted in worldwide condemnation and calls for war crimes against the US.
However, the result of jolting the Japanese emperor and military was that unconditional surrender happened, the emperor and military were no longer viewed by Japanese people as unconditional leaders, rebuilding began (e.g., cities, economy, educational viewpoints, etc.) with substantial help from the Allies. Japan has become a staunch ally in global affairs.
My point is that horrific casualties and destruction of homes and livelihoods are just that—horrible—but positive and permanent change can come about with the ending (no suggestion of Hiroshima-Nagasaki type of bomb usage!) of an enemy (Hamas) along with immediate and constructive restructuring of Gaza, which includes education aimed at tolerance and societal and economic productivity, as well as rebuilding cities and services.
I would like to see a discussion of the future for this region, that is, the “end game.” My hope is for durable peace and prosperity for the entire region. History has shown that warring people who have inflicted horrific devastation on one another can become allies.
An earlier commenter has already brought up the historical parallel of America’s dropping two atomic bombs on civilians, mostly women and children since many military-age men were elsewhere engaged in combat against the WWII Allies. Instantly, over 200,000 civilians perished and the cities almost entirely obliterated.
I was born just a few months before that horrific “genocide.” As soon as I was old enough to read and learn about history and what my country had done, I felt much of the ethical burden Glenn describes. The atomic bombings resulted in worldwide condemnation and calls for war crimes against the US.
However, the result of jolting the Japanese emperor and military was that unconditional surrender happened, the emperor and military were no longer viewed by Japanese people as unconditional leaders, rebuilding began (e.g., cities, economy, educational viewpoints, etc.) with substantial help from the Allies. Japan has become a staunch ally in global affairs.
My point is that horrific casualties and destruction of homes and livelihoods are just that—horrible—but positive and permanent change can come about with the ending (no suggestion of Hiroshima-Nagasaki type of bomb usage!) of an enemy (Hamas) along with immediate and constructive restructuring of Gaza, which includes education aimed at tolerance and societal and economic productivity, as well as rebuilding cities and services.
I would like to see a discussion of the future for this region, that is, the “end game.” My hope is for durable peace and prosperity for the entire region. History has shown that warring people who have inflicted horrific devastation on one another can become allies.