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The Difference between Darfur and Gaza

[Scripps-Howard] Cliff May - Scores of donors gathered at an "International Conference in Support of the Palestinian Economy for the Reconstruction of Gaza" in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, where $4.5 billion in pledges was collected. The people of Gaza have long been receiving more aid per capita than just about any other group in the world - a high multiple of what Darfurians receive - but Gaza is in an especially sorry state these days. The reason: Gazans elected Hamas to rule them, and Hamas has vowed to exterminate Israel and, in pursuit of that goal, Hamas routinely fires missiles at Israeli towns. In response, about two months ago Israel invaded Gaza and went after Hamas leaders and fighters. Many in the "international community" criticized Israel's response as "disproportionate," despite the fact that it did not succeed in stopping the missile attacks. There have been over 100 since the "ceasefire" on Jan. 18. Logically, doesn't that suggest that the response was insufficient, rather than excessive? I don't mean to seem callous about the hardships being endured by Gazans. But I do mean to emphasize their responsibility - and the fact that, unlike the Darfurians, they could alleviate their suffering by tolerating Israel's existence, and pursuing peace. The writer is president of the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies.
2009-03-13 06:00:00
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