One Way to Stop Atrocities

For years I've considered the practice of powerful nations to use aerial bombardment against residential neighbourhoods nothing short of a cowardly atrocity. Far more often than not, the attack winds up killing innocent civilians, especially women and children. In order to keep up this vile slaughter, the guys with the planes and the bombs spew out the same old crap about collateral damage and mistakes and then do it all over again.

Finally, a bunch of Palestinians have found a way to stop it. As soon as the Israelis warned the locals to clear out, they didn't. Instead they did just the opposite. Hundreds of protesters swarmed the building housing the intended targets. Men stood vigil at night, women replaced them at dawn. The Globe carried this reaction from the Palestinians and Israelis:

"Palestinian prime minister Ismail Haniyeh of Hamas arrived at Mr. Baroud's home later in the morning to show his support.

"'We are so proud of this national stand. It's the first step toward protecting our homes, the homes of our children,' he told reporters, climbing onto the roof.

"Eventually, the Israeli army called off the air strikes because of the crowds, according to a spokeswoman.

"'What happened over the weekend was very worrisome to us,' Noa Meir said.

"'Not only are they using their civilians as human shields, they continue to endanger the lives of our civilians with their rocket attacks,' she said. 'It presents us with a very difficult dilemma because we want to do everything possible to keep civilians out of harm's way, but we need to protect our people by ending rocket fire.'

"She acknowledged that the army saw no easy answer to the problem."

Israel has a perfect right to defend itself - against those who actually attack it - but it has routinely taken an unacceptable toll of civilian life in the process. Israel has great weapons and great soldiers. Israeli forces are virtually unstoppable, they can go pretty much wherever they please. Let them use all these advantages to go in and get the people they actually want. Just leave the jet bombers on the ground and leave the civilians to live another day.