Fighting continues in Gaza as both Israel and Hamas, the militant Palestinian political party that controls the region, ignored a United Nations resolution calling for a ceasefire last Friday, the Globe and Mail reported.
Israel is demanding all rocket activity directed at Israel be stopped and Egypt block channels for smuggling arms to Hamas in Gaza. Hamas said it would agree to a ceasefire only if the blockade on Gaza is lifted and Palestinians are allowed into Egypt to buy goods and fuel.
The fighting began Dec. 27, 2008, after a ceasefire declared June 18, 2008 expired when Hamas fired rockets at Israel.
Gaza medics estimate 890 Palestinians and 13 Israelis have died, as of Jan. 12.
Both groups’ rejection of the UN resolution serves to highlight the international organization’s increasing inability to maintain peace in a post-9/11 world.
If the UN’s overgrown bureaucracy has become archaic and irrelevant, it may be necessary for individual Western powers to step up their support of peaceful negotiations and a ceasefire in Gaza.
Although Western powers would, ideally, limit their meddling in foreign disputes, their recent history of involvement in Middle Eastern affairs means intervention now is not unwarranted.
Western foreign policy, however, shouldn’t be based on the presumption that the West fully understands the nuances of a centuries-old conflict.
Western powers may want to focus more of their efforts on humanitarian issues, rather than political crisis.
The West should pressure Israel into lifting the Gaza blockade so those living in the region can access food and supplies.
Although it’s disappointing that some Western media outlets show their biases in news reporting they claim is neutral, many have increasingly reported a two-sided conflict—a significant improvement over the unequivocally pro-Israel stance many took as recently as the Second Intifada in 2000.
The media should be using its power to explore deeper causes of the conflict. The Economist’s piece on the history of the conflict is a good example.
As one of the West’s only links to the overseas conflict, the media must recognize its power to influence people’s opinions and seek to humanize the issue, not stir the pot for more conflict.
All final editorial decisions are made by the Editor(s) in Chief and/or the Managing Editor. Authors should not be contacted, targeted, or harassed under any circumstances. If you have any grievances with this article, please direct your comments to journal_editors@ams.queensu.ca.