Megan G. Kennedy: Attacks on Gaza will only perpetuate conflict

[DogPoundPup]

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Israel has tried collective punishment, bombings and assassinations of Palestinian leaders for decades. These tactics have failed to eliminate Palestinian armed groups -- and even multiplied them -- and undermined the peace process. The likelihood of the current war making Israelis safer is so slim that counter-terrorism cannot plausibly be used to explain the action. The assault on Gaza is more logically described as a politically expedient maneuver to garner Israeli public favor before upcoming elections.

Unfortunately, for lack of political agreement with Hamas and out of revenge for all the death and destruction being heaped on Gaza, when operation "Cast Lead" is over it will likely only be a matter of months until even more powerful and longer-range missiles will be once again launched into Israel.

Real peace and security require the immediate, tangible implementation of two states -- Israel and Palestine -- within secure and internationally recognized borders. This goal supported by international law and widely accepted by Israelis, Palestinians and the vast majority of world public opinion is pushed further out of reach by the escalation of violence.

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It is often said that "the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results." Israel's insanity has not only been devastating for the Palestinians of Gaza but will prove in the end damaging to the Israeli people as well.

http://www.santacruzsentinel.com/opinion/ci_11427035