Presumably this is just evidence that the New York Times op-ed page is riddled with anti-Semites, but the last two days have seen some pretty sensible op-eds on the crisis in Gaza. First, Nick Kristof argued that the region's moderates are being eviscerated as the extremists in the Israeli government and the extremists in Hamas strengthen one another. He also made the point that this has been sold as a policy against Hamas, but it's been conducted as a policy against Gaza, with all the attendant consequences. He quotes a 37-year-old Gazan father weeping over the corpse of his 11-year-old daughter. “From now on, I am Hamas," the grieving man swore. "I choose resistance.” Today, Roger Cohen weighs in on the endless cycle of violence, the terminal lack of wisdom and humanity, and in the inability of the region's actors to negotiate to better the president rather than war to avenge the past. "I have never previously felt so despondent about Israel, so shamed by its actions, so despairing of any peace that might terminate the dominion of the dead in favor of opportunity for the living," he says. But his most damning assessment comes after detailing the tragic self-delusion of Ohlmert, the incoherence of Livni, and the naked ambition of Barack. "The heroic Israeli narrative has run its course, sighs Cohen. And then there's this week's Time cover:
None of the writers are anti-Israel. But there's a dawning realization that Israel's actions are self-destructive. They benefit the current political coalition in the upcoming elections. They provide a fleeting instant of emotional satisfaction. But they do not bring peace, nor security, closer. It's important that the media has begun stating this flatly. But as anyone who has watched a friend or family member choose the wrong path knows, the tough part is not recognizing the problem, but working up the courage to intercede. America, in the short-term, has to be aggressive about seeking an immediate ceasefire that includes significant aid to rebuild Gaza and an end to the embargo that chokes off its economy and radicalizes its population. The ceasefire cannot simply replicate the conditions that led to the conflict.
None of the writers are anti-Israel. But there's a dawning realization that Israel's actions are self-destructive. They benefit the current political coalition in the upcoming elections. They provide a fleeting instant of emotional satisfaction. But they do not bring peace, nor security, closer. It's important that the media has begun stating this flatly. But as anyone who has watched a friend or family member choose the wrong path knows, the tough part is not recognizing the problem, but working up the courage to intercede. America, in the short-term, has to be aggressive about seeking an immediate ceasefire that includes significant aid to rebuild Gaza and an end to the embargo that chokes off its economy and radicalizes its population. The ceasefire cannot simply replicate the conditions that led to the conflict. 
