The Open Air Prison

 Israel created an open air prison in Gaza and the West Bank to seal off its problem of legitimacy.  Israel is a great and modern nation.  But its history has left it with serious and deep seated doubts. Does it have legitimate rights to the land it occupies?  They, the Israelis, are not actually convinced. There are other people who claim this land, the Palestinians, and it seems they will not go away.  The area was once shared by these two peoples. These earlier occupants  continue to insist that the land must either be shared  by two peoples or divided into two states.  The Israelis do not like either option. 

To “solve” this conundrum  they have sealed off one of their “problems” in Gaza ( and area of 7 x 20 miles or about the size and population density—2.2 million —of Queens NY) with steel fencing, razor wire, watch towers and a “no a mans” land.  So imagine an area about the size of Queens NY surrounded by fencing with no exits or egress, ways in or out,  except through military check points. Imagine no way to escape by air or sea.  Israel controls who goes in and out, as well as the water, electricity and sources of fuel.   Now imagine that area being bombarded by F16 jets and rocket fire.  Buildings blow up and  collapse around you.  Citizens run away as far as the steel fence and go no farther from the explosions.  This is reality for Gazans. 

The Israelis  hoped - this outdoor prison—requiring “mowing down” with bombs every” few years—- would solve their problem and no one would remember these ignored people deeply locked  away.  Sadly, Israeli allies and “friends” in the west simply went along with this clearly unjust, unworkable and untenable circumstance. In fact in the USA many elements helped the Netanyahu government sustain and strengthen the dangerous fantasy they created. That is until the tragic day of October 7,  2023 when the outdoor prison blew up in their face. 

Today thousands of innocents have been killed on both sides. 

Our leaders should be trying to end this horrible disaster, not become a co-belligerent by encouraging the combatants with funds and military supplies. Real leaders would separate themselves from the militarists committing war crimes as they respond only to rage and vengeance.