I'm sorry, but reality and history belies your statement. Of course you are right that hostilities exist on both sides and that neither side is blameless. That is obvious.
However, you correctly pointed to international law as an improvement over conquest. Whether you like it or not, the Arab states ignored the UN division and attacked Israel. Once war begins, the rules changed.
In addition, the Arab culture is still tribal. The concept of revenge for damage to any member of the tribe to ANY member of the other group is different from the Western notion of individual responsibilty. Read Karen Armstrong's very positive book on Mohammad as one reference.
Given this, revenge on any civilian is acceptable. That is why Israelis, with rare exceptions, aren't bombing Palestinian busses, restaurants, etc. Certainly they have the wherewithall to destroy. That difference, is not subtle nor inconsequential as you state: >>But that is a minor distinction - at best. Violence is violence, murder is murder, death is death. << LOOK AT 9/11!!!! If Bin Laden could have killed more innocents, he would have. Why would you think that Hamas etc.are any different!
I would condemn Israeli policy of killing innocents capriciously. It is the policy of several Palestinian organizations to kill innocents.
fred |
