I've never taken a side in the Middle East conflict, except to say that I codemn the violence perpetrated by both sides. Today we enter a sad new stage of the crisis. Just months ago, with the transfer of the Gaza Strip and the signing of the prisoner's agreement, I had hopes that the Palestineans and Israelis were finally taking the steps necessary to work for peace. Sadly, as evidenced by the Israeli invasion of Gaza and Lebanon, it seems I was mistaken. As before, I don't defend the kidnappings and killings perpetrated by Hezbollah and Palestinean militants, but when the reponse to 5 deaths is the invasion of Lebanon & Palestine, as well as the deaths of more than 80 Palestineans, including women and children, the response clearly excedes the boudaries of justice. Israel will never have the peace it claims to desire until it learns to love justice more than the gun.
My message to the Israelis, Palestineans and Lebanese is the same as it's alway been. Let's not be eager for retribution, let's be eager for peace.