This will most likely be my last major link round-up on the topic. There are individual threads of the cost of the crisis that I may develop, but with the current incursion over, the need for relatively quick, major round-ups has dissipated.
One of the things I tried to communicate through my sourcing was that the conflict is not a religious issue. I consciously choose to limit the number of Muslim sources to indicate that there was opposition to Israel’s actions that was not based in a conception of a Cosmic War. I also wanted to highlight the number of Jewish voices who were opposed the Israeli action, most notably Richard Silverstein of Tikun Olam, came to represent this important demographic. I did not preclude Muslim voices, and I did include those who spoke from a faith-based opposition to the war, but one that was not based on Jew-hating. In other words, there is a sophisticated, intelligent debate happening, but it’s just not “angry” enough to make the news.
- Richard points to stories that show the IDF actively engaged in slaughtering non-combatants in an intimate setting, i.e. not as collateral damage. While I hope it’s not systematic, Brian indicates it may be a deeper issue than a few lone stories. (cf. Richard)
- What happened in Gaza is so bad, Israel is concerned about war crimes issues.
- Mitchell as new Mideast Envoy. What does it mean?
- The Center for Constitutional Rights speaks on the issue.
- Olmert says he wept when he heard Palestinian children died. However, he agrees it’s better they died than Israeli soldiers.
- Qaddafi speaks with a silver-tongue. He knows that, for demographic reasons, a one-state solution effectively spells the death of Israel. However, he makes a really good case for it. (h/t Wajahat)
- Ted Swedenburg points out more celebrity protests. He also tells me Ben Affleck is related to the founder of the Ba’ath Party. OMG!
- Juan Cole on the fallout.
- Bernard Avishai give a two part analysis that has to do with love.
- Richard on Israeli culture wars and Arab relations.
- Svend does his own round-up.