The Netanyahu government is pushing expansionist policies, while America looks the other way.
www.newyorker.com
That's not what is happening.
The Hamas - Israeli war, and the intransigence of Hamas, made it clear to Israel they need to take Gaza over completely. In a situation where Hamas is willing to sacrifice every Palestinian life to keep the conflict going, and enough Palestinians being cool with it, has changed the Israeli game plan.
Israel has the last 20 years have tried very hard to find an Islamic country who wants to take it over, to maintain safety. Nobody wants to touch it with a long stick. So Israel is on their own.
The last conflict, together with the last 70 years have made it clear to the Israelis that there will probably never be a situation where the Palestinians of Gaza will want to peacefully coexist. Its not just religion. Its such a complicated mess of Arabic tribal allegiences among the Palestinians. Anyway... there's no peace in sight.
If Israel wants peace with Gaza, its increasingly apparent, the only avenue left is to make it into a police state ruled by Israel.
I think that's what is happening. Israel gets all the brownie points for showing extreme restraint and patience. But enough is enough.
For those who negatively judge Israels actions, what else should they and could they have done? Other than committing collective national suicide.
The situation Israel is in is so extreme and bizarre, there's no historical equivalent. There's no other example in history of a people showing as much restraint as Israel has, considering how they have been treated.
I'll repeat, what else should they do?