"Do you accept that you were wrong in claiming Israel does not target civilians?"
I believe (for the most part) when Israeli soldiers conduct a raid in PA territory they attempt to be "surgical" in apprehending or killing whoever it is they are after. There is a specific person or group targeted. Sadly, as you say, civilians get killed along the way. "Terrorists" have been known to hide in hospitals, police stations and crowded areas, which is asking for civilian casualties. This is wholly different from when a "freedom fighter" infiltrates a settlement and puts bullets into the heads of children or when a suicide bomber detonates him/herself at a crowded cafe, bus or foodstore. Perversely, for me, it would be better for the PA to blow themselves up at checkpoints where there are military personel or government offices, etc; and if Israeli citizens get killed along the way, it would be sad, but then at least you could say the killings are not indiscriminate. "Freedom fighters" would then be attacking symbols of the regime or the soldiers of the regime, as opposed to killing only civilian people at random.
But ultimately, Israel is between a rock and a hard place. They've tried to negotiate a deal with the PA, but for some reason the PA forego talk and pursue violence instead. Israel can't stand to the side and let suicide bombers bomb willy nilly. They have to try and stop them militarily if talking is not an option. |
