Bo Bayles
LA4 3rd hour
Example paper
23 September, 2003
The "situation" in the Middle East between Israel, Palestine, and their neighboring countries has seemingly been the same cycle of violence since anyone can remember. Since 1947, there have been off and on periods of violence and all-out wars, changing already dynamic the political landscape of the area. Every once in a while there will be much celebrated "historic" peace meetings with world leaders and "progressive" peace treaties, which seem to last anywhere from a few hours at worst to a month or two at best. The latest "historic" peace agreement, supported by President Bush, which called for the creation of a Palestinian nation, was in full swing late this spring. It was called the "Roadmap to Peace". By mid-June, the "roadmap" had degenerated into the usual string of "_____ were killed today…" headlines.
Following "roadmap" and a three-month cease-fire, the violence has even increased. On August 12th, a pair of suicide bombers attacked within an hour of each other, wounding 17, and killing four, including the bombers. One bomber entered a supermarket and detonated himself; the other got on a bus and did the same. The Palestinian leadership, the PLO, condemned the attacks, while the militant group Hamas claimed responsibility for them, implying that they were sanctioned by Islamic holy war. (Source: WashingtonPost.com, 12 Aug. 2003).
Two days later, in retaliation, an Israeli attempt to kill a leader of Islamic Jihad led to the injury of those in the surrounding area. Mohammed Sidr, the leader, was killed after a firefight with Israeli forces. The last time he was a target, Israeli gun ships missed their target and killed two Palestinian children. Sidr's death sparked vows of revenge from the various Palestinian militant groups, and warnings from Israeli allies. (Source: WashingtonPost.com, 14 Aug. 2003).
On August 19th, another suicide attack on a passenger bus killed 23, including the bomber, and injured 100. Islamic Jihad and Hamas, two militant groups that had signed on to the litany of truces, claimed responsibility for the attack and deaths, saying the bombing was necessary after Israel's killing of Mohammed Sidr. (Source: WashingtonPost.com, 20 Aug. 2003)
Following that attack, Israel retaliated on August 22nd, in a missile attack, killing a Hamas leader and injuring 30 nearby. Two days later, the retribution strikes continued. Israeli helicopters killed two other Hamas leaders, saying that the PLO had not upheld its promise to arrest militant leaders. Palestinians argued that the strikes were an attempt to sabotage the credibility of the new PLO leader, Abbas. On the 28th and 29th, more Islamic Jihad and Hamas leaders were killed in Israeli attacks, sparking more calls for vengeance and worldwide concern for the "peace process". (Source: WashingtonPost.com, Middle East Coverage Archive).
All that was just in August. September started with two suicide attacks by Palestinian bombers. Seven off-duty soldiers were killed in the first attack on a busy bus station, and 15 others wounded. In the second attack, six civilians were killed and 31 injured, after a bomber walked into a crowded café and blew himself up. (Source: WashingtonPost.com, 10 Sept. 2003).
One can probably guess the next violent event, based on the summer's pattern. Israeli forces attacked a militant leader, killing two and injuring more than 30. (Source: WashingtonPost.com, 11 Sept. 2003). As it stands now, President Bush is set to meet with both sides to discuss plans to restore the "road map", and the United Nations voted to hold hearings. Both the U.S. and UN are advising Israel to abandon its plan to remove or kill Palestinian leader Yassar Arafat, who is suspected of directly and indirectly funding attacks on Israelis. Arafat won a Nobel Peace Prize in 1994.
These examples don't provide much hope for peace in the near future- they're just from the past two months, and don't include the countless casualties from past years. Most people favor one side over another, citing both ancient and recent history as justification for the appropriate side. Are the Palestinian suicide bombings a proper response to inequalities in Israeli treatment of Muslims? Is the Israeli government just protecting its citizens' security? Should the Muslim people move to expel Jews from the Middle East? Should Israel be settling the Gaza Strip and West Bank?
How many wrongs will it take to make a right?